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Cathodoluminescence in the scanning transmission electron microscope
1Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, Université Paris-SudParis-Sud, CNRS-UMR 8502, Orsay 91405, France.
Ultramicroscopy
|January 2, 2017
Summary
Scanning transmission electron microscopy-cathodoluminescence (STEM-CL) advances optical materials analysis. This technique now reveals new physics in plasmonics and quantum emitters, overcoming previous limitations.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cathodoluminescence (CL) is crucial for studying material optical properties.
- Recent integration with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has unlocked advanced plasmonics and quantum emitter research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in STEM-CL that overcome prior technical and conceptual limitations.
- To highlight new research avenues enabled by modern STEM-CL techniques.
Main Methods:
- Introduction to various STEM-CL operating modes and instrumentation specifics.
- Investigation of coherent (plasmons) and incoherent (quantum emitters) optical excitations using STEM-CL.
- Analysis of light production physics and experimental interpretation in STEM-CL.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of STEM-CL's capability to probe plasmonics and quantum emitters with unprecedented detail.
- Detailed comparison of STEM-CL with complementary techniques like SEM-CL, photoluminescence, and EELS.
- Comprehensive overview of recent applications showcasing the technique's versatility.
Conclusions:
- Modern STEM-CL has overcome previous limitations, offering powerful new capabilities for materials research.
- The technique provides unique insights into optical properties, particularly for plasmonics and quantum emitters.
- STEM-CL is a rapidly evolving field with significant potential for future discoveries.
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