title: Prospects for versatile phase manipulation in the TEM: beyond aberration correction.
abstract: In this paper we explore the desirability of a transmission electron microscope in which the phase of the electron wave can be freely controlled. We discuss different existing methods to manipulate the phase of the electron wave and their limitations. We show how with the help of current techniques the electron wave can already be crafted into specific classes of waves each having their own peculiar properties. Assuming a versatile phase modulation device is feasible, we explore possible benefits and methods that could come into existence borrowing from light optics where the so-called spatial light modulators provide programmable phase plates for quite some time now. We demonstrate that a fully controllable phase plate building on Harald Rose׳s legacy in aberration correction and electron optics in general would open an exciting field of research and applications.
authors.affiliation: EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guzzinati
authors.affiliation: EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Armand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Béché
authors.affiliation: EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Roeland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Juchtmans
authors.affiliation: EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Boxem
authors.affiliation: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9SS, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazilu
authors.affiliation: EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: jo.verbeeck@uantwerpen.be.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verbeeck
keywords: Aberration correction; Airy waves; Electron optics; Holography; Vortex