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Electric field imaging of single atoms

Author

Listed:
  • Naoya Shibata

    (Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)

  • Takehito Seki

    (Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)

  • Gabriel Sánchez-Santolino

    (Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)

  • Scott D. Findlay

    (School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University)

  • Yuji Kohno

    (JEOL Ltd.)

  • Takao Matsumoto

    (Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)

  • Ryo Ishikawa

    (Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)

  • Yuichi Ikuhara

    (Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
    Nanostructures Research Laboratory, Japan Fine Ceramic Center)

Abstract

In scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), single atoms can be imaged by detecting electrons scattered through high angles using post-specimen, annular-type detectors. Recently, it has been shown that the atomic-scale electric field of both the positive atomic nuclei and the surrounding negative electrons within crystalline materials can be probed by atomic-resolution differential phase contrast STEM. Here we demonstrate the real-space imaging of the (projected) atomic electric field distribution inside single Au atoms, using sub-Å spatial resolution STEM combined with a high-speed segmented detector. We directly visualize that the electric field distribution (blurred by the sub-Å size electron probe) drastically changes within the single Au atom in a shape that relates to the spatial variation of total charge density within the atom. Atomic-resolution electric field mapping with single-atom sensitivity enables us to examine their detailed internal and boundary structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Naoya Shibata & Takehito Seki & Gabriel Sánchez-Santolino & Scott D. Findlay & Yuji Kohno & Takao Matsumoto & Ryo Ishikawa & Yuichi Ikuhara, 2017. "Electric field imaging of single atoms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15631
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15631
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