Chip design and development for an integrated Photonics-Electron Microscopy Platform for enabling enhanced Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

Abstract

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is a powerful analytical technique used in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the energy loss of electrons as they interact with a specimen. EELS provides valuable information about the electronic structure, composition, and bonding properties of materials at the nanoscale. Despite its tremendous potential, EELS techniques often face challenges related to spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. In this context, the present project aims to significantly enhance the EELS spectra resolution by innovatively designing and fabricating a specialized Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) holder. By leveraging advances in photonics and micro-resonator technology, this project seeks to revolutionize the quality and accuracy of EELS measurements, opening new avenues for high-resolution material characterization. The motivation behind this project lies in the critical need to overcome existing limitations in EELS techniques and push the boundaries of nanoscale material analysis. Traditional EELS setups, while offering valuable insights, often suffer from challenges associated with background noise, limited energy resolution, and compromised signal quality due to multiple scattering events. These factors hinder the ability to extract precise information about material properties, impeding progress in various scientific and technological fields. Motivated by these challenges, the central aim of this project is to design and develop a TEM holder that incorporates cutting-edge photonic micro-resonator technology. This combi- nation is expected to improve EELS abilities. The proposed holder will enable controlled interactions between the electron beam and the photonic micro-resonator, exploiting quantum optical phenom- ena to enhance the energy-loss signal and reduce unwanted noise. This approach aligns with recent advancements in Photon Induced Near-field Electron Microscopy (PINEM), quantum optics and electron-photon interactions, paving the way for unprecedented sensitivity and resolution in EELS measurements. The outcomes of this project hold immense promise for diverse scientific disciplines. In materials science, researchers will gain deeper insights into the electronic behavior and properties of nanoma- terials, facilitating the design and optimization of advanced materials with tailored functionalities. Additionally, the improved EELS resolution will impact fields such as catalysis, nanoelectronics, and biological imaging, where precise characterization at the nanoscale is essential. To achieve our objectives, we will address the following key research questions: • What are the optimal design parameters for the micro-resonator, facilitating efficient electronphoton interactions and maximal photon generation per electron? • What strategies can be employed to mitigate potential sources of photon loss within the integrated TEM holder, such as losses in coupling, transmission, and detection, thereby maximizing the efficiency of photon collection and measurement? • How do the characteristics of the micro-resonator, such as its size, shape, and material properties, impact the generation and propagation of cavity photons, and how can these parameters be tailored for optimal EELS performance? We expect that the results of this project will revolutionize the field of material characterization by enabling unprecedented high-resolution EELS measurements, poised to impact diverse scientific and technological domains.