Medipix 2 detector applied to low energy electron microscopy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Microscopy Technology

Background:

• Traditional detectors for Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM) and Photo-Emission Electron Microscopy (PEEM), such as microchannel plates (MCPs), phosphor screens, and CCD cameras, are becoming performance limitations.
• MCPs exhibit limitations that hinder advancements in LEEM and PEEM capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of a solid-state hybrid pixel detector, Medipix 2, as an alternative to traditional MCPs in LEEM and PEEM.
• To demonstrate the potential of Medipix 2 for enhancing real-space imaging and spectroscopy in these microscopy techniques.

Main Methods:

• Implementation and testing of the Medipix 2 detector in LEEM and PEEM experimental setups.
• Comparative analysis of image contrast and resolution obtained with Medipix 2 versus traditional MCP detectors.

Main Results:

• Medipix 2 demonstrated background-free operation and an effectively infinite dynamic range.
• Significant enhancements in both image contrast and resolution were observed when using Medipix 2 compared to MCPs.
• The Medipix 2 detector showed negligible aging at the electron energies relevant for LEEM and PEEM.

Conclusions:

• The Medipix 2 solid-state hybrid pixel detector represents a significant advancement for LEEM and PEEM applications.
• Its superior performance characteristics, including enhanced contrast, resolution, and durability, position it as a detector of choice for next-generation microscopy systems.