Template masks for 4D-STEM

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Xie, Yining, Moynihan, Eoin, Alexe, Marin, Piper, Louis, Sanchez, Ana, Beanland, Richard
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Xie, Yining
Moynihan, Eoin
Alexe, Marin
Piper, Louis
Sanchez, Ana
Beanland, Richard
author_facet Xie, Yining
Moynihan, Eoin
Alexe, Marin
Piper, Louis
Sanchez, Ana
Beanland, Richard
contents We present a new analysis method for atomic resolution four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM, in which a diffraction pattern is collected at each point of a raster scan of a focused electron beam across the specimen). In 4D-STEM, each measured intensity has a dual character, forming a pixel in a diffraction pattern and, equally, forming a pixel in a STEM image. Applying a mask to the data to obtain a "virtual" bright field or dark field image is widely used and understood. However, there is a complementary procedure, in which an image (template) is applied to the data to obtain a mask. This mask shows the correlation between the data and the template and, when applied to atomic resolution 4D-STEM data produces an image optimised for the template. This allows, for example, imaging of specific atom columns and is a significant improvement over user-defined masks such as virtual annular bright field imaging. We demonstrate the capability of the approach, separately imaging Li and O atom columns in LiFePO4 and O, Pb and Ti across a domain wall in PbTiO3.These template masks provide a computationally straightforward and general method to probe 4D-STEM data. They are particularly effective for specimens of moderate thickness where multiple scattering produces strong and specific correlations in diffraction patterns.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_06371
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Template masks for 4D-STEM
Xie, Yining
Moynihan, Eoin
Alexe, Marin
Piper, Louis
Sanchez, Ana
Beanland, Richard
Instrumentation and Detectors
Materials Science
We present a new analysis method for atomic resolution four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM, in which a diffraction pattern is collected at each point of a raster scan of a focused electron beam across the specimen). In 4D-STEM, each measured intensity has a dual character, forming a pixel in a diffraction pattern and, equally, forming a pixel in a STEM image. Applying a mask to the data to obtain a "virtual" bright field or dark field image is widely used and understood. However, there is a complementary procedure, in which an image (template) is applied to the data to obtain a mask. This mask shows the correlation between the data and the template and, when applied to atomic resolution 4D-STEM data produces an image optimised for the template. This allows, for example, imaging of specific atom columns and is a significant improvement over user-defined masks such as virtual annular bright field imaging. We demonstrate the capability of the approach, separately imaging Li and O atom columns in LiFePO4 and O, Pb and Ti across a domain wall in PbTiO3.These template masks provide a computationally straightforward and general method to probe 4D-STEM data. They are particularly effective for specimens of moderate thickness where multiple scattering produces strong and specific correlations in diffraction patterns.
title Template masks for 4D-STEM
topic Instrumentation and Detectors
Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.06371