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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Picometer-Precision Atomic Position Tracking through Electron Microscopy
Published on: July 3, 2021
Direct observation of local distortion of a crystal lattice with picometer accuracy using atomic resolution neutron
1Neutron Spectroscopy Department, Research Institute for Solid State Physics and Optics, POB 49, H-1525, Hungary. cser@sunserv.kfki.hu
Abstract:
We demonstrate that neutron holography permits us to extend the determination of atomic positions beyond nearest neighbors at least up to the fourth neighboring shell around cadmium probe atoms alloyed into a lead crystal. The accuracy achieved is sufficient to allow quantitative determination of displacements of atoms due to elastic distortions induced by impurity atoms. The atomic positions derived from the holographic data are in good agreement with those expected theoretically due to Friedel oscillations in this system. In addition, the atomic positions are in qualitative agreement with results obtained in an independent experiment studying the diffuse distortion scattering around Bragg peaks.
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