High precision phase-shifting electron holography

Today's information-oriented society requires high density and high quality magnetic recording media. The quantitative observation of fine magnetic structures by electron holography is greatly anticipated in the development of such new recording materials. However, the magnetic fields around particles <50 nm have not been observed, because the fields are too weak to observe in the usual way. Here we present a highly precise phase measurement technique: improved phase-shifting electron holography. Using this method, the electric field around a charged polystyrene latex particle (100 nm in diameter) and the magnetic field around iron particles (30 nm in diameter) are observed precisely. A precision of the reconstructed phase image of 2pi/300 rad is achieved in the image of the latex particle.