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| Format: | Preprint |
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2025
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| Online-Zugang: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.18796 |
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| _version_ | 1866917100545638400 |
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| author | Guzman, Roger Rusz, Ján Li, Ang Idrobo, Juan Carlos Zhou, Wu Gazquez, Jaume |
| author_facet | Guzman, Roger Rusz, Ján Li, Ang Idrobo, Juan Carlos Zhou, Wu Gazquez, Jaume |
| contents | X-ray linear dichroism has been pivotal for probing electronic anisotropies, but its inherent limited spatial resolution precludes atomic-scale investigations of orbital polarization. Here we introduce a versatile electron linear dichroism methodology in scanning transmission electron microscopy that overcomes these constraints. By exploiting momentum-transfer-dependent electron energy-loss spectroscopy with an atomic-sized probe, we directly visualize orbital occupation at individual atomic columns in real space. Using strained La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films as a model system, we resolve the Mn-3d eg orbital polarization with sub-angstrom precision. We show that compressive strain stabilizes 3z2-r2 occupation while tensile strain favors x2-y2. These results validate our approach against established X-ray measurements while achieving the ultimate single atomic-column sensitivity. We further demonstrate two optimized signal extraction protocols that adapt to experimental constraints without compromising sensitivity. This generalizable platform opens unprecedented opportunities to study symmetry-breaking phenomena at individual defects, interfaces, and in quantum materials where atomic-scale electronic anisotropy governs emergent functionality. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2511_18796 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Detecting Linear Dichroism with Atomic Resolution Guzman, Roger Rusz, Ján Li, Ang Idrobo, Juan Carlos Zhou, Wu Gazquez, Jaume Materials Science Applied Physics X-ray linear dichroism has been pivotal for probing electronic anisotropies, but its inherent limited spatial resolution precludes atomic-scale investigations of orbital polarization. Here we introduce a versatile electron linear dichroism methodology in scanning transmission electron microscopy that overcomes these constraints. By exploiting momentum-transfer-dependent electron energy-loss spectroscopy with an atomic-sized probe, we directly visualize orbital occupation at individual atomic columns in real space. Using strained La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films as a model system, we resolve the Mn-3d eg orbital polarization with sub-angstrom precision. We show that compressive strain stabilizes 3z2-r2 occupation while tensile strain favors x2-y2. These results validate our approach against established X-ray measurements while achieving the ultimate single atomic-column sensitivity. We further demonstrate two optimized signal extraction protocols that adapt to experimental constraints without compromising sensitivity. This generalizable platform opens unprecedented opportunities to study symmetry-breaking phenomena at individual defects, interfaces, and in quantum materials where atomic-scale electronic anisotropy governs emergent functionality. |
| title | Detecting Linear Dichroism with Atomic Resolution |
| topic | Materials Science Applied Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.18796 |