Optimum collection angle for detection of small catalyst particles in high-angle dark-field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Abstract

Since Crewe et al demonstrated the detection of single heavy atoms on thin carbon support films, there has been considerable interest in the use of high angle annular dark field detectors(HADD) to study particles in the subnanometer size range. A recent contribution to this subject is the work of Treacy and Rice.Increased interest in this technique can be attributed to the minimization of diffraction and phase contrast effects in the imaging of small atom catalyst particles .In this study we calculate the expected signal using realistic electron scattering cross sections. For the high angle dark field considered, it is reasonable to assume single scattering and to consider dynamical effects averaged out by the averaging over annular aperture.The electron scattering amplitude used is given by the Mott formula;