Phonon Spectroscopy at Atomic Resolution
Abstract
Advances in source monochromation in transmission electron microscopy have opened up new possibilities for investigations of condensed matter using the phonon-loss sector of the energy-loss spectrum. Here, we explore the spatial variations of the spectrum as an atomic-sized probe is scanned across a thin flake of hexagonal boron nitride. We demonstrate that phonon spectral mapping of atomic structure is possible. These results are consistent with a model for the quantum excitation of phonons and confirm that Z -contrast imaging is based on inelastic scattering associated with phonon excitation.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- January 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.016103
- Bibcode:
- 2019PhRvL.122a6103H