Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Electron Channeling Contrast Imaging for Rapid III-V Heteroepitaxial Characterization
Published on: July 17, 2015
Contrast Mechanisms in Secondary Electron e-Beam-Induced Current (SEEBIC) Imaging.
Ondrej Dyck1, Jacob L Swett2,3, Charalambos Evangeli3
1Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
Secondary electron e-beam-induced current (SEEBIC) imaging in STEM visualizes sample conductivity. This technique offers a new method for characterizing electrical properties in nanomaterials like graphene nanoribbons.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanoscience
- Electron Microscopy
Background:
- Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is a powerful imaging technique.
- Direct visualization of sample conductivity and electrical connectivity is crucial for device characterization.
- Secondary electron emission is a common signal in electron microscopy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and review the secondary electron e-beam-induced current (SEEBIC) imaging technique in STEM.
- To examine the contrast generation mechanisms in SEEBIC.
- To demonstrate the application of SEEBIC for characterizing graphene nanoribbon devices.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing STEM to generate secondary electrons (SEs) upon electron beam (e-beam) interaction with a conductive sample.
- Measuring the SE current as a function of e-beam position when the sample is electrically connected to an amplifier.
- Comparing SEEBIC with traditional electron beam-induced current (EBIC) imaging.
Main Results:
- SEEBIC allows direct visualization of sample conductivity and electrical connectivity.
- The contrast mechanisms in SEEBIC are distinct from traditional EBIC due to current direction.
- SEEBIC proved effective for characterizing the electrical properties of graphene nanoribbon devices.
Conclusions:
- SEEBIC is a valuable new imaging mode in STEM for electrical characterization.
- The technique provides insights into conductivity and connectivity at the nanoscale.
- SEEBIC expands the capabilities of electron microscopy for advanced materials analysis.
More Related Videos
08:31Sample Preparation and Experimental Design for In Situ Multi-Beam Transmission Electron Microscopy Irradiation Experiments
Published on: June 27, 2022
11:14Comprehensive Characterization of Extended Defects in Semiconductor Materials by a Scanning Electron Microscope
Published on: May 28, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Overview of Electron Microscopy
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy
Overview of Microscopy Techniques
Transmission Electron Microscopy
Phase Contrast and Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy
In-phase-contrast microscopes, interference between light directly passing through a cell and light refracted by cellular components is used to create high-contrast, high-resolution images without staining. It is the oldest and simplest type of microscope that creates an image by altering the wavelengths of light rays passing through the specimen. Altered wavelength paths are created using an annular stop in the condenser. The annular stop produces a hollow cone of...