Aberration correction: zooming out to overview

Author(s):  
A. Howie

In the structural characterization of thin specimens by projection (atomic column) imaging, the revolutionary development of aberration-corrected electron microscopy has already brought significant improvements not only in spatial resolution but also in improved image contrast. Some highlights from the symposium are summarized. Despite the purchasing and operating costs as well as the demands they place on operator skills, a staggering number of these new microscopes has already been installed worldwide. Serious challenges, therefore, arise including the need to attract customers from a wide range of disciplines where complex structure problems may require the development of new imaging modes. The ability to image at large scattering angles may be useful in mitigating some of the many as-yet uncorrected delocalization mechanisms that then arise and are systematically identified here. Larger specimen volumes made possible by chromatic aberration correction will benefit the development of more relevant in situ observations, particularly in materials science and catalysis. With additional incorporation of phase shifting electrodes or other devices, these chromatic aberration correctors could also be important for efficient phase contrast imaging in easily damaged biological structures. For many of these formidable problems, earlier experience of the optical microscopy community may teach some lessons.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Karydas ◽  
T. Pantazis ◽  
C. Doumas ◽  
A. Vlachopoulos ◽  
P. Nomikos ◽  
...  

In-situ X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) of ancient artifacts from the excavation area was performed using a novel X-ray instrumentation, composed of a portable silicon PIN thermoelectrically cooled X-ray detector, a miniature X-ray source, and portable data acquisition devices. The main objective of the analyses in Akrotiri was to explore the potential of the technique to provide answers to a wide range of archaeometric questions regarding the bulk composition of metal alloys, especially of gold, the characterization of corrosion products in bronze artifacts, identification of inorganic elements which are fingerprints of the minerals used in wall-painting pigments, and of the painting materials and techniques used for the decoration of clay vase surfaces. Among the analysed artifacts are a unique gold ibex, a bronze dagger and blade, various pigments from the wall paintings of room 3 in Xeste 3, decoration pigments from rosettes of faience, a bichrome jug, and other clay vases. The results of the in-situ XRF survey, primarily those of the bulk composition and soldering technology of the gold ibex, are discussed and compared with literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1669
Author(s):  
Krista Alikas ◽  
Viktor Vabson ◽  
Ilmar Ansko ◽  
Gavin H. Tilstone ◽  
Giorgio Dall’Olmo ◽  
...  

The Fiducial Reference Measurements for Satellite Ocean Color (FRM4SOC) project has carried out a range of activities to evaluate and improve the state-of-the-art in ocean color radiometry. This paper described the results from a ship-based intercomparison conducted on the Atlantic Meridional Transect 27 from 23rd September to 5th November 2017. Two different radiometric systems, TriOS-Radiation Measurement Sensor with Enhanced Spectral resolution (RAMSES) and Seabird-Hyperspectral Surface Acquisition System (HyperSAS), were compared and operated side-by-side over a wide range of Atlantic provinces and environmental conditions. Both systems were calibrated for traceability to SI (Système international) units at the same optical laboratory under uniform conditions before and after the field campaign. The in situ results and their accompanying uncertainties were evaluated using the same data handling protocols. The field data revealed variability in the responsivity between TRiOS and Seabird sensors, which is dependent on the ambient environmental and illumination conditions. The straylight effects for individual sensors were mostly within ±3%. A near infra-red (NIR) similarity correction changed the water-leaving reflectance (ρw) and water-leaving radiance (Lw) spectra significantly, bringing also a convergence in outliers. For improving the estimates of in situ uncertainty, it is recommended that additional characterization of radiometers and environmental ancillary measurements are undertaken. In general, the comparison of radiometric systems showed agreement within the evaluated uncertainty limits. Consistency of in situ results with the available Sentinel-3A Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) data in the range from (400…560) nm was also satisfactory (−8% < Mean Percentage Difference (MPD) < 15%) and showed good agreement in terms of the shape of the spectra and absolute values.


2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (a1) ◽  
pp. C1734-C1734
Author(s):  
Zoltan Gal ◽  
Tadeusz Skarzynski ◽  
Fraser White ◽  
Oliver Presly ◽  
Adrian Jones ◽  
...  

Agilent Technologies develop and supply X-ray systems for single-crystal diffraction research, including the SuperNova; a compact, highly reliable and very low maintenance instrument providing X-ray data of the highest quality; and the PX Scanner for testing and characterization of protein crystals in their original crystallization drops (in-situ). The SuperNova and PX Scanner are constantly improving, with recent enhancements including a new range of detectors using an Intelligent Measurement System. The Eos S2, Atlas S2 and Titan S2 detector range employs a smart sensitivity control of the electronic gain and is capable of instantaneously switching its binning modes thus providing unprecedented flexibility in tuning every exposure to provide the highest data quality for a wide range of experiments. We have also developed a completely new micro-focus X-ray source based on Gradient Vacuum technology, with novel filament and target designs. This novel source is an integral part of the new Agilent GV1000 X-ray diffractometer, which has been designed for applications that require even higher brightness of the X-ray beam.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasrina Munmun ◽  
Arif Md. Rashedul Kabir ◽  
Kazuki Sada ◽  
Akira Kakugo

AbstractWe demonstrate that the rigidity of the microtubules (MTs), propelled by kinesins in an in vitro gliding assay, can be modulated using the deep-sea osmolyte trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). By varying the concentration of TMAO in the gliding assay, the rigidity of the MTs is modulated over a wide range. By employing this approach, we are able to reduce the persistence length of MTs, a measure of MT rigidity, ∼8 fold using TMAO of the concentration of 1.5 M. The rigidity of gliding MTs can be restored by eliminating the TMAO from the gliding assay. This work offers a simple strategy to regulate the rigidity of kinesin-propelled MTs in situ and would widen the applications of biomolecular motors in nanotechnology, materials science, and bioengineering.


Author(s):  
James E. Mark ◽  
Harry R. Allcock ◽  
Robert West

Polymer chemistry and technology form one of the major areas of molecular and materials science. This field impinges on nearly every aspect of modern life, from electronics technology, to medicine, to the wide range of fibers, films, elastomers, and structural materials on which everyone depends. Although most of these polymers are organic materials, attention is being focused increasingly toward polymers that contain inorganic elements as well as organic components. The goal of Inorganic Polymers is to provide a broad overview of inorganic polymers in a way that will be useful to both the uninitiated and those already working in this field. There are numerous reasons for being interested in inorganic polymers. One is the simple need to know how structure affects the properties of a polymer, particularly outside the well-plowed area of organic materials. Another is the bridge that inorganic polymers provide between polymer science and ceramics. More and more chemistry is being used in the preparation of ceramics of carefully controlled structure, and inorganic polymers are increasingly important precursor materials in such approaches. This new edition begins with a brief introductory chapter. That is followed with a discussion of the characteristics and characterization of polymers, with examples taken from the field. Other chapters in the book detail the synthesis, reaction chemistry, molecular structure, and uses of polyphosphazenes, polysiloxanes, and polysilanes. The coverage in the second edition has been updated and expanded significantly to cover advances and interesting trends since the first edition appeared. Three new chapters have been added, focusing on ferrocene-based polymers, other phosphorous-containing polymers, and boron-containing polymers; inorganic-organic hybrid composites; and preceramic inorganic polymers.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 100-101
Author(s):  
N. Dellby ◽  
O.L. Krivanek ◽  
A.R. Lupini

Electron probe formation in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) has two properties that maximize the benefits of spherical aberration correction: the smallest and brightest probes are formed when all the geometric aberrations are set to zero, and the size of the probe is not greatly affected by the presence of chromatic aberration. This contrasts with the case of conventional, fixed-beam TEM (CTEM), in which optimized phase-contrast imaging demands a non-zero spherical aberration coefficient (Cs), and chromatic aberration constitutes a major resolution limit. As a result, a consensus is presently emerging that the benefits of aberration correction will be felt most strongly in STEM.Our efforts in Cs-corrected STEM have progressed from a proof-of-principle Cs corrector [1] to an optimized second-generation design [2]. The corrector in both cases is of the quadrupole-octupole type. The second-generation corrector uses separate quadrupoles and octupoles, and concentrates on maximizing the octupole strength.


MRS Bulletin ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward T. Yu ◽  
Stephen J. Pennycook

One of the dominant trends in current research in materials science and related fields is the fabrication, characterization, and application of materials and device structures whose characteristic feature sizes are at or near the nanometer scale. Achieving an understanding of—and ultimately control over—the properties and behavior of a wide range of materials at the nanometer scale has therefore become a major theme in materials research. As our ability to synthesize materials and fabricate structures in this size regime improves, effective characterization of materials at the nanometer scale will continue to increase in importance.Central to this activity are the development and application of effective experimental techniques for performing characterization of structural, electronic, magnetic, optical, and other properties of materials with nanometer-scale spatial resolution. Two classes of experimental methods have proven to be particularly effective: scanning-probe techniques and electron microscopy. In this issue of MRS Bulletin, we have included eight articles that illustrate the elucidation of various aspects of nanometer-scale material properties using advanced scanningprobe or electron-microscopy techniques. Because the range of both experimental techniques and applications is extremely broad—and rapidly increasing—our intent is to provide several examples rather than a comprehensive treatment of this extremely active and rapidly growing field of research.


2005 ◽  
Vol 890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuhiko Aizawa ◽  
Shigeo Yamamoto ◽  
Taro Sumitomo

ABSTRACTGreen manufacturing technology has become a significant innovative keyword to reduce the environmental burden and CO2 emission at the stage of manufacturing and production. In daily operations by machining, huge amount of lubricating oils and cleansing agents is wasted so that dry machining technology provides us a way to completely reduce these wastes. Among several candidates, self-lubrication via in-situ formation of lubricious oxide films is accommodated to protective coatings in order to attain low friction and wear state even at higher cutting speed range. Materials science of in-situ formed lubricious oxide tribofilms is stated with consideration of accommodation mechanism via the chlorine implantation. Mechanical characterization is made for evaluation on elasto-plastic deformation of lubricious oxides. Turning test is employed to evaluate dry machinability of various tools for wide range of cutting speed. Self-lubrication in dry machining is described both for bare WC and TiCN-coated WC tools with and without chlorine implantation. Precise microstructure analyses are made by using the laser microscope, EDS and XPS. In-situ formation of lubricous oxides proves that self-lubrication process takes place even in dry machining to reduce the flank wear and friction coefficient.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight A. Williams ◽  
Wraegen A. M. Williams ◽  
Melissa C. Rhoten ◽  
Charlene D. Crawley ◽  
Suzanne Ruder

The synthesis and characterization of novel N-arylhydroxylamine-based molecular wires are described for use in the site-directed covalent immobilization of whole IgG antibodies onto gold electrode surfaces. The hydroxylamine, electrochemically generated in situ from reduction of the corresponding nitrobenzene, is stable under a wide range of solution conditions and reacts selectively with carbohydrate away from the antibody-binding site to allow the development of immunosensors with maximal activity. Cyclic voltammetric responses have shown a direct correlation between the structure and length of the molecular wire and its stability and concentration at the electrode surface.


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