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The Role of Secondary Electron Emission in the Charging of Thin-Film Phase Plates
摘要： In the past few years, physical phase plates (PP) have become a viable tool to enhance the contrast of weak-phase objects in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thin-film PPs, such as the Zernike and Hilbert PP, are based on the mean inner potential of microstructured thin films [1,2]. Typically, a thin amorphous carbon (aC)-film is applied, whose thickness is adjusted to induce a well-defined phase shift between unscattered and scattered electrons. However, the illumination with high-energy electrons initiates an irreversible degeneration of the aC-film, which causes electrostatic charging and affects the phase-shifting properties. Taking even advantage of charging, hole-free PPs were recently developed [3,4]. Electrostatic charging plays a central role in the application of thin-film PPs. However, the mechanisms of charging are not well-understood. This work shows that charging is dominated by secondary electron emission. For this purpose, Hilbert PPs were fabricated from different materials to study their charging behavior under electron beam illumination. Besides aC-films, thin films of the metallic glass alloy Pd77.5Cu6.0Si16.5 (PCS) were used for PP fabrication. The PCS-alloy is characterized by an amorphous structure and a high electrical conductivity, which is three orders of magnitude higher than that of aC [5,6]. Moreover, the PCS-alloy exhibits a strong resistance towards oxidation, which suggests less charging of PCS-films.
关键词： transmission electron microscopy,thin-film,secondary electron emission,charging,phase plates
更新于2025-11-21 11:20:48
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Influence of RbF post deposition treatment on heterojunction and grain boundaries in high efficient (21.1%) Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells
摘要： Post deposition treatments (PDT) by alkali fluorides applied to chalcopyrite-based absorbers have produced record efficiencies in thin-film solar devices in the past few years and recently the efficiency of 22.6 % was achieved with Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) using rubidium fluoride (RbF) PDT. However, the effects of RbF-PDT towards changes in its interfacial and grain boundary (GB) properties are still not fully understood. In this work, cells with efficiency higher than 21% are investigated by combination of atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to show how changes in GB and interface chemistry may facilitate high efficiencies. APT studies, carried out at the interface between CIGS absorber and solution-grown CdS buffer layer, show In enrichment and Cu depletion along with traces of Rb. Our APT studies reveal higher amounts of Rb (1.5 at. %) and lower amounts of Na and K (<0.5 at. %) at GBs as compared with previous studies (on non-PDT samples) thus indicating substitution of Na and K by Rb. However, concentration of all alkali elements inside the grain bulk is below detection limit of APT. The concentration of Rb at the GBs in CIGS is measured depth-dependent using both APT and TEM, which consistently shows the increase in Rb towards the Mo back contact. In addition, a pronounced Cu depletion is observed at the GBs which might enhance hole-barrier properties of the GBs, thus improving charge carrier collection and hence the overall efficiency of the device. Thus, understanding effects of RbF-PDT at the atomic scale provides new insights concerning the further improvement of CIGS absorber and interfaces.
关键词： Cu(In,Ga)Se2,Thin-film solar cell,heterojunction,atom probe tomography,post deposition treatments,transmission electron microscopy
更新于2025-11-21 11:20:48
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Laser additive manufacturing of biodegradable magnesium alloy WE43: a detailed microstructure analysis
摘要： WE43, a magnesium alloy containing yttrium and neodymium as main alloying elements, has become a well-established bioresorbable implant material. Implants made of WE43 are often fabricated by powder extrusion and subsequent machining, but for more complex geometries laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) appears to be a promising alternative. However, the extremely high cooling rates and subsequent heat treatment after solidification of the melt pool involved in this process induce a drastic change in microstructure, which governs mechanical properties and degradation behaviour in a way that is still unclear. In this study we investigated the changes in the microstructure of WE43 induced by LPBF in comparison to that of cast WE43. We did this mainly by electron microscopy imaging, and chemical mapping based on energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in conjunction with electron diffraction for the identification of the various phases. We identified different types of microstructure: an equiaxed grain zone in the center of the laser-induced melt pool, and a lamellar zone and a partially melted zone at its border. The lamellar zone presents dendritic lamellae lying on the Mg basal plane and separated by aligned Nd-rich nanometric intermetallic phases. They appear as globular particles made of Mg3Nd and as platelets made of Mg41Nd5 occurring on Mg prismatic planes. Yttrium is found in solid solution and in oxide particles stemming from the powder particles’ shell. Due to the heat influence on the lamellar zone during subsequent laser passes, a strong texture developed in the bulk material after substantial grain growth.
关键词： Rapid solidification,Microstructure,Bone scaffolds,Electron microscopy,Biodegradable implants,WE43,Laser powder bed fusion,Magnesium
更新于2025-11-21 11:20:48
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Visualizing Cell-Laden Fibrin-Based Hydrogels using Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy and Confocal Microscopy
摘要： The present investigation explores the microscopic aspects of cell-laden hydrogels at high resolutions, using three-dimensional cell cultures in semi-synthetic constructs that are of very-high water content (>98% water). The study aims to provide an imaging strategy for these constructs, while minimizing artifacts. Constructs of PEG-fibrinogen (PEG-Fb) and fibrin hydrogels containing embedded mesenchymal cells (human dermal fibroblasts) were first imaged by confocal microscopy. Next, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM) was used to provide images of the cells within the hydrogels, at submicron resolutions. Because it was not possible to obtain artifact-free images of the hydrogels using room-temperature HR-SEM, a cryogenic HR-SEM (cryo-HR-SEM) imaging methodology was employed to visualize the sample while preserving the natural hydrated state of the hydrogel. The ultrastructural details of the constructs were observed at subcellular resolutions, revealing numerous cellular components, the biomaterial in its native configuration, and the uninterrupted cell membrane as it relates with the biomaterial in the hydrated state of the construct. Constructs containing microscopic albumin microbubbles were also imaged using these methodologies to reveal fine details of the interaction between the cells, the microbubbles and the hydrogel. Taken together with the confocal microscopy, this imaging strategy provides a more complete picture of the hydrated state of the hydrogel network with cells inside. As such, this methodology addresses some of the challenges of obtaining this information in amorphous hydrogel systems containing a very-high water content (>98%) with embedded cells. Such insight may lead to better hydrogel-based strategies for tissue engineering and regeneration.
关键词： Fibrin,Electron Microscopy,Hydrogel,Tissue Engineering,Scaffold,Confocal Microscopy
更新于2025-11-21 11:08:12
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Molten salt synthesis of highly ordered and nanostructured hexagonal boron nitride
摘要： Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a well-known ceramic that has wide application areas ranging from electronics to metallurgy. However, highly ordered h-BN is conventionally synthesized at high temperatures above 1800 °C. In this work, we investigated the formation of BN from boric acid (H3BO3)-ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) mixture in the sodium chloride (NaCl)-potassium chloride (KCl) eutectic salt. We report the synthesis of highly ordered and nanostructured h-BN at 1000 °C using molten salt synthesis. The effect of starting composition, synthesis temperature, and dwell time on BN formation and its structural ordering were systematically investigated. It is concluded that the molten salt plays important roles in the formation of BN and its structural ordering, which is achieved by i) decomposing the boron (B)-nitrogen (N) bearing reactants that lead to the formation of BN layers, and ii) increasing the mobility of BN layers formed. Furthermore, we propose a possible reaction mechanism that governs the BN formation from the reactant mixture in molten salts and explain the observations based on thermodynamic and kinetic considerations.
关键词： Molten salt synthesis,NaCl-KCl eutectic salt,Boron nitride,Structural ordering,High-resolution transmission electron microscopy
更新于2025-11-21 11:01:37
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[IEEE 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC & 34th EU PVSEC) - Waikoloa Village, HI (2018.6.10-2018.6.15)] 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC & 34th EU PVSEC) - Correlative Microscopy Characterization of Cesium-Lead-Bromide Thin-films
摘要： Inorganic cesium lead halide compounds have gained an increasing interest in the perovskite photovoltaics research community. These compounds are mixed into state of the art organic lead halide perovskite solar cells to provide for more thermal stability, and CsPbX3 (x=I, Br, Cl) nanocubes are investigated as standalone emitter material in light emitting diodes. Eventually, reproducible, single-phase CsPbBr3 thin films could also provide us with a more stable inorganic material for perovskite solar cells. In the present work, we report on microscopic structural and optoelectronic properties of Cs-Pb-Br thin films prepared by different synthesis methods and studied using various electron-microscopy techniques.
关键词： cesium lead bromide,secondary phases,phase distribution,correlative microscopy,electron microscopy,halide Perovskites
更新于2025-11-21 10:59:37
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Nondestructive nanofabrication on monocrystalline silicon via site-controlled formation and removal of oxide mask
摘要： A nondestructively patterned silicon substrate serves as an ideal support for forming high-quality optical structures or devices. A new approach was proposed for fabricating site-controlled structures without destruction on a monocrystalline silicon surface via local anodic oxidation (LAO) and two-step postetching. The nondestruction was demonstrated by conductivity detection with conductive atomic force microscopy (AFM), and an almost perfect crystal lattice was observed from the fabricated hillock by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). By programming AFM tip traces for LAO processing, site-controlled nondestructive patterns with di?erent layouts can be produced. This approach provides a new route for realizing nondestructive optical substrates.
关键词： conductive atomic force microscopy,high-resolution transmission electron microscopy,local anodic oxidation,nondestructive nanofabrication,monocrystalline silicon
更新于2025-11-14 17:04:02
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Detailed surface analysis of V-defects in GaN films on patterned silicon(111) substrates by metal–organic chemical vapour deposition
摘要： The growth mechanism of V-defects in GaN films was investigated. It was observed that the crystal faces of both the sidewall of a V-defect and the sidewall of the GaN film boundary belong to the same plane family of {10￣11}, which suggests that the formation of the V-defect is a direct consequence of spontaneous growth like that of the boundary facet. However, the growth rate of the V-defect sidewall is much faster than that of the boundary facet when the V-defect is filling up, implying that lateral growth of {10￣11} planes is not the direct cause of the change in size of V-defects. Since V-defects originate from dislocations, an idea was proposed to correlate the growth of V-defects with the presence of dislocations. Specifically, the change in size of the V-defect is determined by the growth rate around dislocations and the growth rate around dislocations is determined by the growth conditions.
关键词： transmission electron microscopy,threading dislocations,gallium nitride
更新于2025-11-14 17:04:02
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Asymmetric strain: A critical role in domain evolution in (111) - Oriented ferroelectric films
摘要： Domain behavior of (111)- oriented perovskite ferroelectric films is significantly different from (001)-/(101)- oriented ones, resulting in enhancing property responses such as a superior susceptibility and a reduced coercive field. However, the domain structures and evolutions with the thickness of (111)-oriented ferroelectric films, which are crucial to further understand the distinctive properties, are still obscure. In this study, the ferroelectric domains of (111)- oriented PbTiO3 films are investigated by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). We identify the domain evolution with the film thicknesses under anisotropic strains imposed by the orthorhombic GdScO3 (101)O substrates. Contrast analysis and electron diffraction patterns reveal that only four ferroelectric variants evolve in PTO films: d2+, d2-, d3+ and d3-, with the polarization directions along [010], [010], [001] and [001], respectively. Two kinds of domain walls are formed: 'inclined' (011) domain walls for d2-/d3+ (d2+/d3-) domains, 'normal' (011) domain walls for d2+/d3- (d2-/d3+) domains. The width of periodically distributed d2+/d3+ (d2-/d3-) domains increases with film thickness following the square root rule. Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electronic microscopy demonstrates the lattice characteristics of domains in (111)- oriented PbTiO3 films are consistent with tetragonal ferroelectric domains. PFM studies reveal that both the out-of-plane and in-plane polarization components of d2-/d3+ (d2+/d3-) domains are non-identical, whereas the d2+/d3+ (d2-/d3-) domains possess uniform out-of-plane polarization component and non-uniform in-plane polarization component. This study discloses the domain structure in (111)-oriented tetragonal ferroelectric films under anisotropic strains and the association with the ferroelectric properties.
关键词： PbTiO3,Transmission electron microscopy,Ferroelectric,T,Perovskites,Piezoresponse force microscopy
更新于2025-09-23 15:23:52
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[Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics] || superconductors and magnetic electron lenses
摘要： The use of superconductors seems a logical step if one wants to make iron-free magnetic lenses or to reduce the dimensions of conventional lenses since, when decreasing the coil size, the current density is increased. In the 1960s and 1970s, research mainly concentrated on the applicability of superconductors to magnetic electron lenses, and took place on a relatively large scale. This is reviewed in Section 2, after a general introduction into superconductivity in Section 1. Superconducting lenses and microscopes did not become popular due to their inconvenient operation and the lack of interest in high-voltage electron microscopy. High-voltage microscopy has been one of the main reasons for working on strong magnetic lenses and, consequently, on the utilization of superconductors. In 1986, with the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity, discussion on the applicability of superconductors to magnetic electron lenses was reopened. In the past, one of the most serious disadvantages in operating superconducting lenses had been related to the use of liquid helium refrigeration, so high-T c superconductors might be employed to overcome this problem, because their cooling demands are much more relaxed. However, especially during the first years of high-Tc superconductivity, despite their high operating temperatures, the materials themselves seemed extremely unfriendly, as they were brittle, sensitive to water, unstable, and difficult to produce. Fortunately, most of these disadvantages have now disappeared and the discussion concerning their utilization assumes a more fundamental character in the sense that most of the properties of the high-Tc materials are known, though a sound theoretical basis has not yet been defined. The properties of high-T c superconductors are the subject of Section 3. The question whether high-Tc superconductors are more appropriate for applications in particle optics than their classical counterparts was considered to be an interesting research topic. Therefore, this work was started as a feasibility study to the use of high-temperature superconductors in particle optics. Most short-term applications in this field were expected to exploit the high current density of these materials at temperatures above liquid helium, so this work concentrated on magnetic lenses as one of the most straightforward high current density applications. Since conventional iron circuit lenses are already used to their limits, as set by the saturation of the ferromagnetic circuit, significant improvements are to be expected only from iron-free lenses or highly saturated pole piece lenses. Their performance is restricted by the current density allowed in the windings and, further, for the iron-free lens, by the attainable mechanical tolerances, since, in the absence of iron, a lack of axial symmetry in the windings directly results in parasitic aberrations. For making small iron free lenses, high-Tc thin films are potentially interesting candidates, as they possess a high current density and can be patterned very accurately using lithographic techniques. Advantages to be expected from thin film lenses are smaller dimensions and better optical properties. An overview of fabrication techniques for high-Tc thin films is given in Section 4. The first attempt to make a coil in a superconducting thin film, using co-evaporated YBa2Cu3O7?x films, is the subject of Section 5. A thin film has to be patterned with some form of spiral in order to obtain a coil. Therefore, thin film lenses basically do not possess full axial symmetry. The relationship between the geometry of a flat coil and its optical properties is given in Section 6. The geometry of a feasible thin film lens element, along with its corresponding optical properties, is given in Section 7 while the technology used to fabricate this lens element is the subject of Section 8. Finally, based upon the work presented here, Section 9 treats the potential applicability of high-Tc superconductors in instruments that employ particle beams.
关键词： magnetic electron lenses,High-Tc superconductors,thin films,capacitive alignment,lens design,YBa2Cu3O7?x,superconductivity,electron microscopy
更新于2025-09-23 15:23:52