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Electron tomography and holography in materials science

Nature Materials volume 8, pages 271–280 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

The rapid development of electron tomography, in particular the introduction of novel tomographic imaging modes, has led to the visualization and analysis of three-dimensional structural and chemical information from materials at the nanometre level. In addition, the phase information revealed in electron holograms allows electrostatic and magnetic potentials to be mapped quantitatively with high spatial resolution and, when combined with tomography, in three dimensions. Here we present an overview of the techniques of electron tomography and electron holography and demonstrate their capabilities with the aid of case studies that span materials science and the interface between the physical sciences and the life sciences.

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Figure 1: Electron tomography.
Figure 2: Dual-axis electron tomography.
Figure 3: Tomographic reconstruction of a heterogeneous catalyst.
Figure 4: Tomographic reconstruction of biogenic magnetite crystals.
Figure 5: 3D reconstructions of precipitates and nanoparticles.
Figure 6: Electron holography of magnetic nanoparticle rings.
Figure 7: Magnetic induction maps of geological and biogenic magnetic particles.
Figure 8: Electron holographic tomography.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to many colleagues for contributions to the work presented here, including M. Weyland, I. Arslan, T. J. V. Yates, M. H. Gass, E. P. W. Ward, L. Laffont, K. Kaneko, J. S. Barnard, J. Sharp, J. R. Tong, J.-C. Hernandez, A. Hungria, J. M. Thomas, T. Kasama, A. C. Twitchett-Harrison, R. J. Harrison, M. Pósfai and M. R. McCartney. Financial support from the European Union Framework 6 programme under a contract for an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative (Reference 026019 ESTEEM) is acknowledged. We are also grateful to the EPSRC, the Royal Society and RIKEN for financial support.

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  1. Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK

    Paul A. Midgley

  2. Center for Electron Nanoscopy, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark

    Rafal E. Dunin-Borkowski

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Midgley, P., Dunin-Borkowski, R. Electron tomography and holography in materials science. Nature Mater 8, 271–280 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat2406

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