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arXiv · 2504.18661

Light-based electron aberration corrector

Marius Constantin Chirita Mihaila·Petr Koutenský·Kamila Moriová·Martin Kozák
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Abstract

Achieving atomic resolution in electron microscopy has historically been hindered by spherical aberration, a fundamental limitation of conventional electron lenses. Its correction typically requires complex assemblies of electromagnetic multipoles. Here, we demonstrate that spherical aberration in a cylindrically symmetric electron lens can be fully compensated via interaction with a shaped light field. By analyzing distortions in high-magnification point-projection electron images of optical standing waves, we quantify the spherical aberration before and after light-induced correction. This approach introduces a new paradigm for optical control in electron beam shaping and opens a pathway towards compact and tunable light-based aberration correctors for high-resolution electron microscopy.

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Marius Constantin Chirita Mihaila, Petr Koutenský, Kamila Moriová, Martin Kozák. 2025-04-25. Light-based electron aberration corrector. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-025-01760-8

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