Nano-imaging

Muharrem Mercimek
Imaging, Robotics, and Intelligent Systems Laboratory
The University of Tennessee

[Motivation] [Research Objectives] [Technical Approach] [Results] [Publications]

3D characterization of both biological samples and non-biological materials provides us nanometer-scale resolution in three dimensions permitting the study of complex relationships between structure and existing functions.

A collection of 2D images of an object taken at different planes through depth sectioning (or optical sectioning) is the basis for the reconstruction of some specific properties of the specimen in 3D space.

Revealing atomic arrangements are indispensable for;

1-first principles calculations,

2-chemical reactivity measurements,

3-electrical properties,

4-point defects,

5-optical properties

Objectives:

3D reconstruction of of different nano-materials by means of HAADF-STEM (High Angular Annular Dark Field - Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope) and BF-STEM (Bright Field - Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope) image series

Technical Approach:

By slicing, a dataset a series of two dimensional images is made from the three-dimensional volume by digital slicing the data perpendicular to a viewing direction (these may be X-Y, X-Z, or Y-Z slices, but also slices perpendicular to any random direction). The slices may resemble projections, but their advantage is that the image information in each slice is not averaged throughout the volume as in a (S)TEM projection. Therefore, the contrast is better and the image far more interpretable and quantifiable. However, one limitation with digital slices is only 2D layers of the overall 3D volume are shown, which sometimes makes it difficult to get a good impression. And in case of having a big difference between spatial and vertical resolution you cannot hardly get the feeling of 3D volume.

Results:

Currently in process

Publications:

No publications currently available for this project.

This research is being conducted at the IRIS Lab by Muharrem Mercimek under the supervision of Dr. Mongi A. Abidi.

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