Improving fabrication and application of Zach phase plates for phase-contrast transmission electron microscopy.
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.
Laboratorium für Elektronenmikroskopie, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany. simon.hettler@kit.edu
Simon
S
Hettler
Björn
B
Gamm
Manuel
M
Dries
Nicole
N
Frindt
Rasmus R
RR
Schröder
Dagmar
D
Gerthsen