High-Resolution Electron Microscopy

Author(s): John C. H. Spence

Series: Monographs on the Physics and Chemistry of Materials

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, Year: 2009

The discovery of the Nanotube in 1991 by electron microscopy has ushered in the era of Nanoscience. The atomic-resolution electron microscope has been a crucial tool in this effort. This book gives the basic theoretical background needed to understand how electron microscopes allow us to see atoms, together with highly practical advice for electron microscope operators. The book covers the usefulness of seeing atoms in the semiconductor industry, in materials science (where scientists strive to make new lighter,stronger, cheaper materials), and condensed matter physics (for example in the study of the new superconductors). Biologists have recently used the atomic-resolution electron microscope to obtain three-dimensional images of the Ribosome, work which is covered in this book. The books also shows how the ability to see atomic arrangements has helped us understand the properties of matter. This new third edition of the standard text retains the early section of the fundamentals of electron optics, linear imaging theory with partial coherence and multiple-scattering theory. Also preserved are updated earlier sections on practical methods, with detailed step-by-step accounts of the procedures needed to obtain the highest quality images of the arrangement of atoms in thin crystals using a modern electron microscope. The sections on applications of atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy (HREM) have been extensively updated, including descriptions of HREM in the semiconductor industry, superconductor research, solid state chemistry and nanoscience, as well as metallurgy, mineralogy, condensed matter physics, materials science and biology. Entirely new sections have been added on electron holography, aberration correctors, field-emission guns, imaging filters, HREM in biology an don organic crystals,super-resolution methods, Ptychography, CCD cameras and Image plates. New chapters are devoted entirely to scanning transmission electron microscopy and Z-contrast, and also to associated techniques, such as energy-loss spectrocospy, Alchemi, nanodiffraction and cathodoluminescence. Sources of software for image interpretation and electron-optical design are also given.