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Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy for materials research

Journal Article · · MRS Bulletin
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2019.283· OSTI ID:1781548
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. The Ohio State Univ., Columbus, OH (United States)
  2. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA (United States)
  3. Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)

Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy is simply transmission electron microscopy conducted on specimens that are cooled in the microscope. The target temperature of the specimen might range from just below ambient temperature to less than 4 K. In general, as the temperature decreases, cost increases, especially below –77°C when liquid He is required. We have two reasons for wanting to cool the specimen—improving stability of the material or observing a material whose properties change at lower temperatures. Both types of study have a long history. We report the cause of excitement in this field today is that we have a perfect storm of research activity—electron microscopes are almost stable with minimal drift (we can correct what drift there is), we can prepare specimens from the bulk or build them up, we have spherical-aberration-corrected lenses and monochromated beams, we have direct-electron-detector cameras, and computers are becoming powerful enough to handle all the data we produce.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); State of Ohio
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1781548
Report Number(s):
SAND--2021-2738J; 694629
Journal Information:
MRS Bulletin, Journal Name: MRS Bulletin Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 44; ISSN 0883-7694
Publisher:
Materials Research SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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