A cryogenic scanning transmission electron microscope reveals the atomic-scale mechanism that disrupts the charge-ordered state in a manganite material. The visualizations were performed at the atomic scale and across variable temperatures. This work by Noah Schnitzer was published in Physical Review X.

Following initial demonstration of a novel liquid helium flow cryogenic TEM holder in 2023, our team assembled subsequent prototypes that have shown sub-Angstrom HRTEM imaging, low sample drift (less than 0.4 Angstrom per second), and low millikelvin-level temperature fluctuations.

Noah Schnitzer (Cornell) et al demonstrate the use of a cryogenic MEMS-based system that achieves intermediate cryogenic temperature. This allows for the first time atomic-resolution STEM imaging and picometer precision mapping as a function of temperature, a key capability for understanding the evolution of order. Even more impressive, the results here show that we can track order in the exact same field of view across temperature, registered unit cell to unit cell. This allows tracking of topological defects in charge order and how they lead to melting of order. Read the pre-print here.

Our team has been working on a novel design that enables liquid helium cooling inside transmission electron microscopes. This long-sought capability is key to accessing quantum phenomena but had proven difficult to achieve. Using a novel design, we demonstrate ultra-cold TEM performance (23 K), impressive millikelvin temperature stability, and low vibrations that enable atomic resolution TEM imaging. For more details check out our manuscript .

Suk Hyun Sung joins the lab at the Rowland Institute at Harvard. He brings immense experience in 2D materials, electron microscopy, and in situ experiments. Welcome Suk Hyun!