Identifying and manipulating single atoms with scanning transmission electron microscopy
- Author(s)
- Toma Susi
- Abstract
The manipulation of individual atoms has developed from visionary speculation into an established experimental science. Using focused electron irradiation in a scanning transmission electron microscope instead of a physical tip in a scanning probe microscope confers several benefits, including thermal stability of the manipulated structures, the ability to reach into bulk crystals, and the chemical identification of single atoms. However, energetic electron irradiation also presents unique challenges, with an inevitable possibility of irradiation damage. Understanding the underlying mechanisms will undoubtedly continue to play an important role to guide experiments. Great progress has been made in several materials including graphene, carbon nanotubes, and crystalline silicon in the eight years since the discovery of electron-beam manipulation, but the important challenges that remain will determine how far we can expect to progress in the near future.
- Organisation(s)
- Physics of Nanostructured Materials
- Journal
- Chemical Communications
- Volume
- 58
- Pages
- 12274-12285
- No. of pages
- 12
- ISSN
- 1359-7345
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CC04807H
- Publication date
- 11-2022
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 103042 Electron microscopy
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Ceramics and Composites, Metals and Alloys, Materials Chemistry, Surfaces, Coatings and Films, Chemistry(all), Catalysis
- Portal url
- https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/identifying-and-manipulating-single-atoms-with-scanning-transmission-electron-microscopy(d372fa7d-a853-42eb-9a84-041a6d2b41c0).html