Helium-Cooled Cryogenic STEM Imaging and Ptychography for Atomic-Scale Study of Low-Temperature Phases

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ID: 328328
2026
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Ranked #26 of 26 articles by views in Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada

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Abstract
Much of the exotic functionality of prime interest in quantum materials emerges from structural and electronic ground states that can only be accessed at cryogenic temperatures. Understanding device operation therefore requires structural characterization under the same low-temperature conditions at which these functional phases exist, as room-temperature measurements often probe a different structural state. Achieving atomic-resolution in scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging and particularly 4D-STEM electron ptychography at liquid helium temperature has remained extremely challenging because even small amounts of drift, vibration, and thermal instability associated with the cryogen can disrupt the stringent stability requirements of atomic-resolution STEM. In this work we demonstrate atomic-resolution STEM and multislice electron ptychography at temperatures as low as 20 K using a commercial helium cooled holder. We find that rapid scans and a multi-stage registration workflow are critical to reducing artifacts associated with cryogenic instability for atomic-resolution imaging, while for ptychography scan position correction including compensation for coupling between probe aberrations and position refinement is necessary for successful reconstructions. Together these results establish a pathway for reliable atomic-resolution STEM and ptychography at low temperature, enabling direct visualization of structural ground states relevant to quantum technology.
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openalex_W7135069582 Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Noah Schnitzer, Mariana Palos, Geri Topore, Nishkarsh Agarwal, Maya Gates, Yaqi Li, Robert Hovden, Ismail El Baggari, Suk Hyun Sung, Michele Shelly Conroy
Journal Microscopy and microanalysis : the official journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/mam/ozag081
URL
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