Improving fabrication and application of zach phase plates for phase-contrast transmission electron microscopy

• Verfasst von: Hettler, Simon Josef [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Frindt, Nicole [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Schröder, Rasmus R. [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Improving fabrication and application of zach phase plates for phase-contrast transmission electron microscopy
• Verf.angabe: Simon Hettler, Björn Gamm, Manuel Dries, Nicole Frindt, Rasmus R. Schröder and Dagmar Gerthsen
• Jahr: 2012
• Fussnoten: Gesehen am 14.06.2018 ; Published online: 12 October 2012
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Microscopy and microanalysis
• Ort Quelle: New York, NY : Cambridge University Press, 1995
• Jahr Quelle: 2012
• Band/Heft Quelle: 18(2012), 5, Seite 1010-1015$h6
• ISSN Quelle: 1435-8115
• DOI: doi:10.1017/S1431927612001560
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• Sach-SW: charging
• Sach-SW: contamination
• Sach-SW: heating device
• Sach-SW: phase contrast
• Sach-SW: phase plate
• Sach-SW: transmission electron microscopy
• Sach-SW: weak-phase object
• K10plus-PPN: 1576351505

Abstract

Zach phase plates (PPs) are promising devices to enhance phase contrast in transmission electron microscopy. The Zach PP shifts the phase of the zero-order beam by a strongly localized inhomogeneous electrostatic potential in the back focal plane of the objective lens. We present substantial improvements of the Zach PP, which overcome previous limitations. The implementation of a microstructured heating device significantly reduces contamination and charging of the PP structure and extends its lifetime. An improved production process allows fabricating PPs with reduced dimensions resulting in lower cut-on frequencies as revealed by simulations of the electrostatic potential. Phase contrast with inversion of PbSe nanoparticles is demonstrated in a standard transmission electron microscope with LaB6 cathode by applying different voltages.