High-resolution terahertz-driven atom probe tomography

Ultrafast control of matter by a strong electromagnetic field on the atomic scale is essential for future investigations and manipulations of ionization dynamics and excitation in solids. Coupling picosecond duration terahertz pulses to metallic nanostructures allows the generation of extremely localized and intense electric fields. Here, using single-cycle terahertz pulses, we demonstrate control over field ion emission from metallic nanotips. The terahertz near field is shown to induce an athermal ultrafast evaporation of surface atoms as ions on the subpicosecond time scale, with the tip acting as a field amplifier. The ultrafast terahertz-ion interaction offers unprecedented control over ultrashort free-ion pulses for imaging, analyzing, and manipulating matter at atomic scales. Here, we demonstrate terahertz atom probe microscopy as a new platform for microscopy with atomic spatial resolution and ultimate chemical resolution.

Automated summary

The strong electromagnetic field at the atomic scale is crucial for future investigations and manipulations of ionization dynamics and excitation in solids. By coupling picosecond duration terahertz pulses to metallic nanostructures, extremely localized and intense electric fields can be generated. In this study, control over field ion emission from metallic nanotips is demonstrated using single-cycle terahertz pulses, showing ultrafast evaporation of surface atoms as ions induced by the terahertz near field on the subpicosecond time scale.