DECIPHER · Dynamic Electron Imaging with Phase Retrieval

Dynamic Electron Imaging with Phase Retrieval

The development of light-activated functional nanodevices is dependent on observing the out-of-equilibrium transport of energy, charge, and spin throughout nanomaterials. Two-dimensional functionalized nanoparticle (NP) supracrystals represent a key example of how functional activity and collective responses can be triggered by an external laser pulse. To fully understand the dynamics of these systems, new imaging techniques are needed, characterized by high spatial and temporal resolution and sensitivity to both light and heavy elements. DECIPHER proposes to bring together novel advances in electron sources with lensless phase retrieval imaging to create a microscope capable of directly visualizing the nanoscale dynamics of functionalized materials with fs-ps temporal resolution and Å-nm spatial resolution. Coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) is an effective route to study these systems as it enables the recovery of the unique nanostructure of an object encoded in the fine structure of the speckle pattern produced when fully coherent light is scattered off a sample. Ultrafast electron sources can effectively probe these nanosystems and enable the full-field imaging of functional intra- and inter-NP supracrystals. With recent breakthroughs in electron source and detector technologies, it is now possible to deploy these imaging methods in 4D (x, y, z, time). The three primary aims of DECIPHER are: (i) to develop an advanced ultrafast electron diffraction imaging system, (ii) to employ state-of-the-art phase retrieval techniques that facilitate comprehensive coherent imaging at multiple length scales, with the ability to detect both heavy and light elements, and (iii) to utilize these novel techniques to directly observe the light-induced functionality of NP supracrystals, with exceptional precision in determining their elemental composition, as well as their 2D and 3D surface features.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз