Probing potential energy landscapes via electron-beam-induced single atom dynamics

Citation

O. Dyck, M. Ziatdinov, S. Jesse, F. Bao, A. Yousefzadi Nobakht, A. Maksov, B.G. Sumpter, R. Archibald, K.J.H. Law, S.V. Kalinin,
Probing potential energy landscapes via electron-beam-induced single atom dynamics,
Acta Materialia,
2020,
116508,
ISSN 1359-6454

Abstract

Structure, bonding, and chemical dynamics of reactions at surfaces and interfaces, and therefore most material properties are intrinsically tied to the energetic landscape in which each atom resides. Here, we demonstrate that a moving atom under electron beam excitation can be used to probe the energy landscape along (confined) step edges, providing information about atomic-scale potentials. The techniques for experimentally exploring atomic potentials holds promise for predictive atom-by-atom fabrication using electron beams.
Keywords: potential energy landscape; atomic dynamics; graphene; scanning transmission electron microscope

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