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Updated: May 31, 2026

Electron Channeling Contrast Imaging for Rapid III-V Heteroepitaxial Characterization
Published on: July 17, 2015
Charge contrast imaging of suspended nanotubes by scanning electron microscopy
Paul Finnie1, Kate Kaminska, Yoshikazu Homma
1Institute for Microstructural Sciences, National Research Council Canada, Building M-50, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A OR6, Canada.
Abstract:
A method of rapidly identifying and imaging suspended nanotubes by scanning electron microscopy is reported. Nanotubes are visible in high contrast and even at low magnification. The contrast can be explained by considering the effect that the charge on the nanotube has on the substrate. The proposed mechanism is general and should apply to any charged nanostructure in proximity to a surface or interface. This represents a new contrast mechanism in scanning electron microscopy.

