Development and Testing of an Advanced Electron Optical System for Photoelectron Microscopes and Other High Resolution Imaging Systems

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This grant application seeks funds to carry out the second phase of a joint project between Portland State University and the University of Oregon on the development of a photoelectron microscope (PEM) of advanced design and higher resolution (theoretically 1 nm to 2 nm, as compared with the present 10 nm). The project will achieve this resolution by incorporating an electron mirror to correct for chromatic and spherical aberrations. The first phase of this project was funded by a private foundation in the Northwest (the M. J. Murdock Chawitable Trust). The first phase covered the design and construction of an electron mirror and the electron lenses and other components used in studying the mirror, and theoretical and experimental investigations of the mirror properties. The second phase, planned for three years, focuses on further research on aberration correction, on mirror design, deflector design, and on instrument design and construction. Specific goals include a detailed study of the aberration correcting properties of the mirror in combination with the electron optical components of the photoelectron microscope in a vacuum optical bench, and the design and construction of an experimental test column in which the resolution of the corrected electron optical system can be evaluated. The successful demonstration of a corrected system would represent an advanced in the field of electron optics. The correction method would also be applicable to a range of other instruments which require aberration correction and improved resolution (e.g., electron or ion probes and advanced photoelectron microscope, when completed, will be valuable in studies of organic and biological specimens, semiconductors, and other surface studies where high resolution and low specimen damage are important.