< Back to previous page

Project

OPERANDO: In-situ observations of the dynamic processes inside the atomic resolution transmission electron microscope (OPERANDO)

The development of novel materials and devices is often a black box process where elements and materials are enclosed together and exposed to an environment until 'magically' the desired compounds and crystals appear. Unfortunately, for most compounds there is not a straightforward path between the initial elements and the final product as the materials undergo a series of complex reactions and phase transitions. Hence, producing materials “on demand” is a long term tedious process that requires many interactions and optimizations. With the requested infrastructure, we will open this black box and be able to visualize the on-going processes in real time at high temperature under different environments and conditions. The information will be gathered with atomic resolution which is critical in order to trace the phenomena involved, as many relevant processes start from atomic scale at the surfaces and interfaces. The infrastructure comprises a mini-reactor that enables in-situ electron microscopy measurements under different gaseous and vapors by simultaneously varying the temperature from room temperature to 1000°C. With the possibility to perform simultaneously chemical analysis by means of EDX and EELS, the most complete view on the on-going processes at the atomic scale will be obtained.
 

Date:1 May 2020 →  Today
Keywords:electron microscope, atomic resolution, transmission
Disciplines:Functional materials