Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A tomography imaging system comprising a composite objective lens assembly comprising a plurality of micro-objectives, each of the micro-objectives structured to block zero-order diffracted radiation. 2. The tomography imaging system of  claim 1  wherein said micro-objectives in said composite lens are arranged in an array. claim 1 3. The tomography imaging system of  claim 2  wherein said array of micro-objectives comprises a generally annular arrangement of said micro-objectives. claim 2 4. The tomography imaging system of  claim 3  wherein the array of micro-objectives is substantially planar. claim 3 5. The tomography imaging system of  claim 3  wherein the micro-objectives in the array of micro-objectives are mounted on a curved structure. claim 3 6. A tomography imaging system comprising: a radiation source emitting light in a desired wavelength;  a collector optic positioned to collect said light and transmit or reflect it;  a sample holder positioning a sample to be imaged in the path of said light from said collector optic;  a composite objective lens system including an array of micro-objectives imaging said light in a desired fashion, each of the micro-objectives structured to block zero-order diffracted radiation; and  an imager. 7. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  further comprising a composite aperture between said composite objective lens system and said imager. claim 6 8. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  wherein said array of micro-objectives comprises an substantially planar and generally annular array of micro-objectives. claim 6 9. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  wherein said array of micro-objectives comprises a curved and generally annular array of micro-objectives. claim 6 10. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  wherein said radiation source comprises a laser light source. claim 6 11. The tomography imaging system of  claim 10  wherein said radiation source further comprises an laser plasma x-ray source in the path of light from said laser light source. claim 10 12. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  wherein said imager comprises: claim 6 an image detector detecting two dimensional images based on said imaged light from said objective lens system;  an image memory storing images detected in said image detector; and  a processor constructing a three dimensional image from said two dimensional images. 13. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  wherein the radiation source comprises a synchotron radiation source. claim 6 14. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  wherein the radiation source comprises an x-ray tube including an electron beam excited x-ray source. claim 6 15. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  wherein the radiation source comprises a source of energy selected from a group consisting of an electron source, a neutron source, a positron source and a photon source. claim 6 16. A method of forming an image of a sample comprising the steps of: providing x-rays;  exposing said sample to said x-rays; and  imaging said x-rays downstream of said sample using a composite objective lens comprising a plurality of micro-objectives, each of the micro-objectives being structured to block zero-order diffraction x-rays. 17. The method of  claim 16  wherein said imaging step comprises imaging said x-ray light downstream of said sample using a substantially planar and generally hexagonal array of micro-objectives. claim 16 18. The method of  claim 16  further comprising: claim 16 detecting two dimensional images based on said imaged x-rays from said objective lens system;  storing images detected in said image detector; and  constructing a three dimensional image from said two dimensional images. 19. A method of forming an image of a sample comprising the steps of: providing x-rays;  collecting said x-rays and directing them in a desired fashion;  positioning the sample in the path of said rays;  imaging said x-rays downstream of said sample using a composite objective lens comprising a plurality of micro-objectives, each of the micro-objectives being structured to block zero-order diffraction x-rays; and  detecting and acquiring an image using said imaged x-rays. 20. The method of  claim 19  wherein said positioning step further comprises transmitting the x-rays through the sample. claim 19 21. The method of  claim 19  wherein said positioning step further comprises scattering the x-rays through the sample. claim 19 22. The method of  claim 19  wherein said positioning step further comprises reflecting the x-rays off the sample. claim 19 23. The method of  claim 19  wherein said focusing step comprises focusing said x-ray light downstream of said sample using a substantially planar and generally hexagonal array of micro-objectives. claim 19 24. The method of  claim 19  wherein said step of detecting and acquiring an image comprises: claim 19 detecting two dimensional images based on said imaged x-rays from said objective lens system;  storing images detected in said image detector; and  constructing a three dimensional image from said two dimensional images. 25. The tomography imaging system of  claim 1  further comprising an order sorting aperture disposed downstream of the composite objective lens assembly, the order sorting aperture being structured to block all but one of odd-order diffraction radiation imaged by each of the micro-objectives. claim 1 26. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  further comprising an order sorting aperture disposed between the composite objective lens system and the imager, the order sorting aperture being structured to block all but one of odd-order diffraction radiation imaged by each of the micro-objectives. claim 6 27. The method according to  claim 16  further comprising the step of: claim 16 blocking all but one of odd-order diffraction radiation imaged by the micro-objectives. 28. The method according to  claim 19  further comprising the step of: claim 19 blocking all but one of odd-order diffraction radiation imaged by the micro-objectives. 29. The tomography imaging system of  claim 1  wherein each of the micro-objectives is structured to block odd-order diffraction radiation other than first-order diffraction radiation. claim 1 30. The tomography imaging system of  claim 6  wherein each of the micro-objectives is structured to block odd-order diffraction radiation other than first-order diffraction radiation. claim 6 31. The method according to  claim 16  further comprising the step of: claim 16 adapting each of the micro-objectives to block odd-order diffraction radiation other than first-order diffraction radiation. 32. The method according to  claim 19  further comprising the step of: claim 19 adapting each of the micro-objectives to block odd-order diffraction radiation other than first-order diffraction radiation.