Atomic scale ion microscopy via laser cooling and correlated imaging

该项目将使用基于激光冷却原子束光电离的新型冷离子源开发下一代聚焦离子束显微镜和纳米纤维。组成原子的低温和复杂的内部状态结构联合收割机结合起来，允许产生具有前所未有的亮度和分辨率的离子。我们将使用三个独特的和创新的想法：在所谓的“例外”状态，以减少色差的原子场电离;电子-离子的相关性，以加强在纳米级的离子控制;和原子-原子相互作用，以隔离和操纵个别离子。这项新技术将推动半导体纳米制造和材料表征的进步。

This project will develop next-generation focused ion beam microscopy and nanofabrication using a novel cold ion source based on photoionisation of a laser-cooled atom beam. The low temperature and complex internal state structure of the constituent atoms combine to allow generation of ions with unprecedented brightness and resolution. We will use three unique and innovative ideas: field ionisation of atoms in so-called 'exceptional' states to reduce chromatic aberration; electron-ion correlations to enhance control of the ions at the nanoscale; and atom-atom interactions to isolate and manipulate individual ions. The new technology will enable advances in semiconductor nanofabrication and material characterisation.