End-to-end wave-optics simulation of XMCD Fourier transform holography

Abstract

We present an end-to-end wave-optics simulation of Fourier transform holography (FTH) with x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) contrast, implemented within the Synchrotron Radiation Workshop (SRW). The framework models the complete imaging chain, from undulator radiation through polarization-dependent sample interaction to hologram formation and image reconstruction. XMCD contrast is incorporated via helicity-dependent optical constants, enabling direct simulation of magnetic holograms under realistic beamline conditions. Using a representative soft-x-ray synchrotron beamline configuration, we demonstrate polarization-resolved hologram formation and reconstruction and assess the impact of reference-aperture geometry and coherence on image quality. These results illustrate how end-to-end wave-optics simulations can be used to interpret experimental data and guide the design of XMCD-FTH experiments at synchrotron beamlines.