Cross-sectional time-resolved high-resolution transmission electron microscopy of atomic-scale contact and noncontact-type scannings on gold surfaces

Abstract

Atomic-scale contact and noncontact scannings on gold surfaces were performed by gold tips in time-resolved high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) using a piezodriven specimen holder. The structural variations of atomic arrangements in the scanning process were observed in situ with a time resolution of 1/60 s. Possibility of combination-type microscopy of HRTEM and scanning-probe microscopy was shown. Mechanical processing at one atomic-layer scale was demonstrated.