Single X-ray photons reveal hidden light-matter interactions in 50-nanometer double slits

A rainbow reveals with colors what otherwise remains hidden: light is “refracted” by transparent matter, in this case water droplets. This same physical effect underlies many everyday technologies, like LCD screens and broadband connections based on fiber-optic cables. Light refraction is caused by an interaction between light and the atoms of matter. This brings the light waves slightly out of sync, so to speak. “X-ray light” is “refracted,” too. But the effect is difficult to measure here.