title: Coherent low-energy electron diffraction on individual nanometer sized objects.
abstract: Today's structural biology techniques require averaging over millions of molecules to obtain detailed structural information. Derivation of the molecular structure from a scattering experiment with just one single 3D-molecule imposes major challenges. Coherent and damage-free radiation is needed to ensure sufficient elastic scattering events before destroying the molecule and a means to solve the phase problem is wanted. We have devised such a scheme using coherent low-energy electrons shaped into a collimated beam by an electrostatic microlens. Initial experiments using a carbon nanotube sample demonstrate the feasibility of coherent low-energy electron diffraction on an individual nanometer-sized object.
authors.affiliation: Physics Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Elvira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Steinwand
authors.forename: Jean-Nicolas
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Longchamp
authors.forename: Hans-Werner
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Fink
mesh_terms: D004583:Electrons; D007909:Lenses; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon