Towards 1.0 Å resolution: Taking advantage of dynamical scattering, and the benefits for structure retrieval

This paper is an exploration of the behaviour of high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images at up to 1 Å resolution. The ultimate limits to HRTEM (structure) resolution and the manner in which strong scattering may lead to weak diffraction in heavy fcc metals are discussed. A resolution of 1.0 Å is somewhat better than the ultimate resolution presently achievable in a 400-kV electron microscope. In heavy metals, such as platinum, it is found that the lattice fringe contrast is very low in the [011] projection, but that fringe contrast may be improved by imaging in the [111] projection. For atomic resolution imaging of the heavy metals in the [111] projection a resolution of 1.2 Å is required. For the study of oxygen position in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) oxides a resolution of between 1.2 and 1.4Å is required. At better than 1.2 Å resolution the thick crystal images in HTS oxides remain simple and are easily interpreted. At such resolution all-atomic columns are separated for the HTS [010] projection and the dynamical diffraction effects improve-the contrast of oxygen atoms relative to the metal atoms