Improving Electron Tomography Through Software Defined Minimized Stage Movements

Electron tomography is a powerful technique to study the three dimensional structure of materials, performed by acquiring images of a sample in many different orientations to reconstruct the full structure. Currently, atomic resolution tomography via direct imaging can only be performed in transmission electron microscopes. This technique makes them essential to studying interfaces and defects in the bulk. But the goniometers used on transmission electron microscopes have remained essentially the same for decades, based on a worm gear driving mechanism. The goal of studying atomic structure is hindered by the deficiencies of this motorized rotation. Two solutions are proposed: based in hardware and software. The latter case is developed and experimental results are discussed. Preliminary findings suggest that it may be possible to improve the stage movement stability by an order of magnitude. This development can also help emerging techniques such as micro electron diffraction study sub-100 nanometer sized crystals.