Synchrotron radiation beam splitting and filtering by a polycapillary array

We present experimental data on a novel type of optical element for synchrotron radiation applications in the X-ray region: namely a straight glass capillary array. The spectral reflectance and transmittance for two capillary samples with length of 10 mm and 19 mm have been measured in the photon energy range from 7 to 30 keV using synchrotron radiation from the DCI storage ring at LURE, Orsay. High reflectance (up to 50%) and good energy-filtering properties were obtained. This opens up the possibility to use a capillary array as an effective beam-splitter and as a high-energy filter in synchrotron radiation beamlines.