Single-shot Picosecond Temporal Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is one of the primary tools for biological and materials characterization and has many important research applications. There is an overarching need to improve the temporal resolution of TEMs. State-­‐of-­‐the-­‐art single shot TEM only achieve 10 nanoseconds temporal resolution.

Technical Approach

UCLA and RadiaBeam Technologies propose to develop a single shot picosecond time resolved transmission electron microscope (SPTEM) with 10 ps temporal and 10 nm spatial resolution based on the use of MeV beams from an RF photoinjector aiming at improving the current state-­‐of-­‐the-­‐art in temporal resolution in single shot electron microscopy by three orders of magnitude. Other key elements include the use of an x-­‐band cavity linearizer to improve the source energy spread distribution, and an ultra-­‐compact electron optical column based on strong permanent magnet quadrupoles (PMQs) to avoid the large costs and complexities associated with bulky relativistic electron lenses.

Phase II Work Plans

In Phase II, we will go forward in the realization of the first single shot picosecond transmission electron microscope (SPTEM) prototype based on the existing infrastructure at the UCLA Pegasus laboratory, completing the construction and commissioning of the x-­‐band linearizer and introducing a second magnification stage to demonstrate 1000x magnification. The final goal of the project will be to test the instrument capabilities by performing a time-­‐resolved study of motion of defects in a material.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits

There are many exciting scientific challenges and commercial opportunities awaiting novel tools possessing very high combined spatial and temporal resolution, such as the proposed single-­‐shot picosecond transmission electron microscope. These include conformational changes in protein, interface dynamics in battery and fuel cells, and phase transition and microstructure development in materials. The device would enable further breakthroughs in the understanding of ultrafast phenomena, stimulating new innovations in material science, chemistry, and biology.