Physics of electron microscopy and its applications

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The importance of electron microscopy increases with the increasing importance of nanoscience, development of new nanomaterials and the desire to understand materials and processes on nearly atomic resolution. Electron microscopy provides quantitative information below single digit nanometer length scale replacing our senses at that scale. Cutting edge electron microscopy brings competitive advantage to collaborators with access to the newest electron microscopy. The electron microscopy research program at U of Alberta and the National Institute for Nanotechnology is focused on development of electron microscopy that can provide quantitative data on practical, radiation sensitive, samples. To improve our analytical capabilities, we develop physics underlying electron energy loss spectroscopy, electron holography and Zernike phase plate imaging with electrons, electron tomography and nano-beam diffraction. Many industrial and academic collaborators benefit from the expertize developed in our lab. We continuously attract collaborations from top laboratories around the world further strengthening the reputation of our laboratory. We commercialize the outcomes of our research in collaboration with Hitachi and JEOL leading to product manufacturing and wealth generation in Canada. The joint effort with the instrument manufacturers ensures that our instrumentation continuously offers state-of-the-art capabilities. It introduces students on sophisticated instrument development. Majority of my research program is funded by National Research Council. This Discovery Grant enables two PhD student training opportunities. The students will conduct research on the exploratory science aspect of electron microscopy. They will work in two high impact areas: momentum resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy in a transmission electron microscope and on investigation of electrostatic charging phenomena as applicable to electron irradiation damage and phase plate imaging in a transmission electron microscope. They will interact with research staff in our laboratory and will have many opportunities to interact with collaborating researchers and engineers from Hitachi and JEOL. The interactions will provide them with connections that will benefit them throughout their scientific career. The applications of the new methods we develop will continue to be pursued in collaborations with leading researchers from around the world. Our implementation of electron energy loss spectroscopy already proved to be a critical factor in analysis of optical metamaterials. The phase plate imaging we developed is a game changing approach with application ranging from nanomagnetism samples to bio samples for human health applications.