Elastic and inelastic mean free paths for scattering of fast electrons in thin-film oxides

Basha, A. Aathif; Lévi, George; Amrani, Tamir; Li, Yang; Ankonina, Guy; Shekhter, Pini; Kornblum, Lior; Goldfarb, Ilan; Köhn, A.

doi:10.1016/j.ultramic.2022.113570

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 49 publications

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“…For thickness determination of the specific location of the rutile-TiO 2 sample, the “log-ratio” method was applied to the low-loss EELS spectrum 25 . The mean free path of plasmon excitation in rutile TiO 2 is λ p = 130 nm 37 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mending cracks atom-by-atom in rutile TiO2 with electron beam radiolysis

Guo,

Yun,

Nair

et al. 2023

Nat Commun

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Rich electron-matter interactions fundamentally enable electron probe studies of materials such as scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Inelastic interactions often result in structural modifications of the material, ultimately limiting the quality of electron probe measurements. However, atomistic mechanisms of inelastic-scattering-driven transformations are difficult to characterize. Here, we report direct visualization of radiolysis-driven restructuring of rutile TiO2 under electron beam irradiation. Using annular dark field imaging and electron energy-loss spectroscopy signals, STEM probes revealed the progressive filling of atomically sharp nanometer-wide cracks with striking atomic resolution detail. STEM probes of varying beam energy and precisely controlled electron dose were found to constructively restructure rutile TiO2 according to a quantified radiolytic mechanism. Based on direct experimental observation, a “two-step rolling” model of mobile octahedral building blocks enabling radiolysis-driven atomic migration is introduced. Such controlled electron beam-induced radiolytic restructuring can be used to engineer novel nanostructures atom-by-atom.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mending cracks atom-by-atom in rutile TiO2 with electron beam radiolysis

Guo,

Yun,

Nair

et al. 2023

Nat Commun

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Evaluating direct detection detectors for short-range order characterization of amorphous materials by electron scattering

et al. 2023

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Three-dimensional distribution of individual atoms in the channels of beryl

Knez,

Gspan,

Šimić

et al. 2024

Commun Mater

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Single atom detection in nanoporous materials is a significant challenge, particularly due to their sensitivity to electron irradiation. Here, natural beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) is used as a model system to quantitatively analyse the occupancy of its atomic channels. High-angle annular dark-field imaging in a scanning transmission electron microscope is employed, revealing the presence of Cs atoms within the channels. Through statistical analysis of atomic column intensities and comparison with a series of multislice simulations, we successfully pinpoint the three-dimensional positions of individual Cs atoms. Our findings indicate a non-uniform distribution of Cs atoms in the crystal. Importantly, by extracting both the crystal thickness and atomic positions from a single high-resolution micrograph, we effectively minimize the adverse effects of beam damage. This approach offers a promising pathway for accurately determining the three-dimensional distribution of dopant atoms in various porous materials, opening new possibilities for the study and application of these technologically important materials.

show abstract

Elastic and inelastic mean free paths for scattering of fast electrons in thin-film oxides

Cited by 5 publications

References 49 publications

Mending cracks atom-by-atom in rutile TiO2 with electron beam radiolysis

Mending cracks atom-by-atom in rutile TiO2 with electron beam radiolysis

Evaluating direct detection detectors for short-range order characterization of amorphous materials by electron scattering

Three-dimensional distribution of individual atoms in the channels of beryl

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