Institute for Molecular Science-led team develops atom-holography microscope for 3D atomic imaging
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Researchers at the National Institutes of Natural Sciences' Institute for Molecular Science have developed an atom-holography microscope that directly visualizes three-dimensional atomic arrangements in nanoscale regions. The microscope combines an electron beam from a scanning electron microscope with the CoDELMA two-dimensional display-type analyzer to capture holographic angular distributions of emitted electrons. The advance, published in the Review of Scientific Instruments, eliminates the need for synchrotron radiation, making atomic-resolution holography accessible in ordinary laboratories.
Microscope Design
The microscope directs an electron beam from a compact scanning electron microscope onto the sample. The custom-built CoDELMA analyzer focuses electrons emitted over a ±50° angular range into an energy analyzer, which extracts electrons of a selected energy. A projection lens then simultaneously measures their angular distribution, generating a holographic pattern. Computer reconstruction of this hologram reveals the three-dimensional atomic structure around atoms of a specific element.
Synchrotron Independence
Until now, atomic-resolution holography required synchrotron radiation, involving lengthy application processes and restricting measurements to specialized facilities. The new device uses electron-beam excitation, enabling such measurements in any research laboratory. Moreover, the electron beam can be focused to a nanometer-scale spot, allowing atomic-structure analysis within extremely small regions—a capability not possible with synchrotron-based techniques.
Materials Research Boost
Three-dimensional atomic arrangements in nanoscale volumes are critical for developing advanced nanodevices and functional materials. Existing transmission electron microscopy methods produce only two-dimensional projections from thin sections. The element-specific 3D imaging offered by the atom-holography microscope could accelerate progress in semiconductors, catalysts, and quantum materials research.
What's Next
The research group aims to enhance the microscope's spatial resolution and apply it to practical device structures. Whether the technology can be scaled for commercial manufacturing remains uncertain.
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Institute for Molecular Science-led team develops atom-holography microscope for 3D atomic imaging
