Optical Near-field Electron Microscopy

Project Information

ONEM

Grant agreement ID: 101017902

DOI

10.3030/101017902

Project closed

EC signature date 9 December 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 December 2025

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)

Total cost

€ 3 659 147,50

EU contribution

€ 3 659 147,50

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITAT WIEN
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ONEM (Optical Near-field Electron Microscopy)

Reporting period: 2022-01-01 to 2023-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Ever since the discovery of bacteria by van Leeuwenhoek in the 17th century, advances in microscopy have led to ground-breaking discoveries, that revolutionized science, technology, and medicine. Our consortium aims at introducing Optical Near-field Electron Microscopy (ONEM), a new concept for label-free imaging of interfaces with nanometric spatial resolution, and without dose-induced specimen damage.

This is achieved via a unique combination of light and electron optics: First, the specimen is illuminated with light, which is non-invasive. Very close to the sample, the resulting optical fields are converted into an electron beam using the photo-electric effect. Since the local beam current is proportional to the local light intensity, imaging the electrons yields information about the sample under study.

Our consortium sets out to build the world’s first ONEM. We aim at proof-of principle demonstrations of our new technology in electrochemistry, plasmonics, and membrane biology. A more detailed description of ONEM can be found in the following publication:
Raphaël Marchand, Radek Šachl, Martin Kalbáč, Martin Hof, Rudolf Tromp, Mariana Amaro, Sense J. van der Molen, and Thomas Juffmann, Optical Near-Field Electron Microscopy, Phys. Rev. Applied 16, 014008 (2021).

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the first period of the project we have focused on realizing the key components that are required for realizing ONEM:

1. A ONEM microscope: we decided to base our first ONEM on an existing aberration-corrected low energy electron microscope (LEEM). We designed a light optics scheme that can be retrofitted onto the LEEM system for illumination. It will enable illumination at various wavelength and with controllable polarization.

2. A sample holder: ONEM requires an ultrathin membrane, which separates the specimen from the photocathode and the adjacent vacuum. We have developed methods for creating, and characterizing graphene and SiN membranes, and have investigated several approaches for their subsequent functionalization.

3. An ultrathin photocathode that converts the optical near-fields into a spatially varying electron beam. We have learned how to grow efficient ultrathin alkali antimonide photocathodes using pulsed laser-deposition and thermal evaporation of the constituents. We have also implemented the necessary technologies within our ONEM apparatus.



In the second period of the project we realized the first Optical Near-field Electron Microscope:

1. We have equipped the LEEM system at the Univ. of Leiden with photocathode coating capabilities, and both an LED and a laser illumination system for ONEM. We used the system to make first ONEM images of nanomaterials, and biological materials.

Several technological advancements will serve the project in its third period:

2. We have developed methods for creating and characterizing lipid bilayers on graphene and SiN membranes.

3. We have designed and tested liquid cells for ONEM with electrochemistry capabilities

4. We have equipped the optical illumination system with closed-loop polarization control

Furthermore, we have had unforeseen results in the following areas:

5. We have developed BiPEEM (back-illuminated photo-electron emission microscopy), a new technique for studying the mean free path of electrons in matter.

6. We could prove theoretically that optical near-fields carry more information than optical far-fields.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Our prototype is up and running and we aim at proof-of principle demonstrations in three scientific fields with large socio-economic impact:

1) Plasmonics: It is often challenging to characterize light-material interactions and plasmonic devices on the nanometer scale - especially in a liquid environment. ONEM can do that and will facilitate the design and implementation of such devices that have both scientific and clinical applications.

2) Electrochemistry: Corrosion, electro-plating, battery charging – all these electrochemical processes are of vital importance to our society. And yet, it is difficult to study them on the nanoscale. Uniquely, ONEM could study them in-situ, with nanometric resolution, large field of view, and without beam-induced artefacts.

3) Membrane biology: Superresolution fluorescence microscopy has led to significant advances in our understanding of molecular biology. ONEM promises to offer similar spatial resolution, but for unlabelled specimens. We will use ONEM to study the dynamics of supramolecular protein complexes in tethered bilayers, which can be formed close to the photocathode. Such studies could promote ONEM as an innovative tool for biology, the life sciences, and medicine.

The Low Energy Electron Microscope at Leiden University that will form the basis for ONEM.