SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Scanning) Transmission electron microscopy S)TEM) is primary characterization method used to determine nanoscale features and local internal structure of materials. Recently, S)TEM observation of materials at cryogenic temperatures have gathered significant interests, particularly in evaluating material for quantum information systems. At low temperatures one can studying these materials’ magnetic phases, superconductivity and topological states with nanometer spatial resolutions using S)TEM. For many of these applications, temperatures down to liquid helium temperatures are required to study the relevant phenomena, while at the same time allowing high-resolution imaging. However, there is currently no dedicated TEM stage solution specifically designed to stably image samples at liquid helium temperatures all the way to room temperature and that allows high- resolution imaging and spectroscopy of samples throughout that temperature range. Previously, Hummingbird Scientific has developed a stable liquid nitrogen LN2)-cooled cryo-biasing holder capable of high-resolution imaging and electrical stimuli in real-time http://hummingbirdscientific.com/products/cryo-biasing/), which is currently released as a prototype to customers pending publications. Levering this work for this upcoming proposed SBIR project, we propose to design, develop and bring to market a dedicated cryo TEM stage that can cool the sample down to liquid helium temperatures and can image stably at temperatures from Liquid Helium up to room temperature. This will new product will aid in understanding of bonding, optical, plasmonic, magnetic and vibration properties of materials using electron energy-loss spectroscopy EELS) throughout the full temperature regime. This characterization tool can specifically leverage the fast imaging capabilities that current generation high-sensitivity/high frame rate TEM cameras can provide in acquiring the most impactful data. This product will be key in allowing scientists to expand the knowledge of structure-property relationships in materials, specifically the relation between temperature and electronic properties, and will allow for the accelerated development of the next generation of quantum-inspired technologies.
