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Nanoparticle discrimination based on wavelength and lifetime-multiplexed cathodoluminescence microscopy
Mathijs W H Garming1, I Gerward C Weppelman, Pascal de Boer
1Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, NL-2628CJ Delft, The Netherlands. j.p.hoogenboom@tudelft.nl r.j.moerland@tudelft.nl.
Nanoscale
|August 23, 2017
Summary
Cathodoluminescence lifetime imaging enables distinguishing nanoparticles in electron microscopy, even with signal decay. This technique offers a robust method for nanomaterial analysis beyond spectral detection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- High-resolution electron microscopy (HR-EM) is crucial for nanomaterial characterization.
- Cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy enables spectrally-selective identification of nanomaterials.
- Limitations in multiplex detection and photon flux exist due to spectral overlap and electron beam damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel method for discriminating nanoparticles using CL lifetime.
- To assess the robustness of CL lifetime as a characterization parameter.
- To integrate CL lifetime information with other imaging modalities in HR-EM.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pulsed electron beam for single-pass CL excitation.
- Measured CL emission decay times (lifetimes) from nanoparticles.
- Correlated CL lifetime maps with emission intensity and secondary-electron images.
- Validated discrimination consistency by correlating emission wavelength and lifetime.
Main Results:
- Successfully discriminated different nanoparticles based on their CL lifetimes.
- Demonstrated that CL lifetime remains a reliable parameter despite significant intensity decay.
- Generated CL lifetime maps providing spatially resolved information.
- Confirmed the correlation between emission wavelength and CL lifetime for accurate discrimination.
Conclusions:
- CL lifetime imaging offers a powerful, additional analytical channel in electron microscopy.
- This technique overcomes limitations of spectral-only methods for nanoparticle identification.
- CL lifetime provides robust and complementary information for nanomaterial analysis.
