Coherent low-energy electron diffraction on individual nanometer sized objects

Today's structural biology techniques require averaging over millions of molecules to obtain detailed structural information. Derivation of the molecular structure from a scattering experiment with just one single 3D-molecule imposes major challenges. Coherent and damage-free radiation is needed to ensure sufficient elastic scattering events before destroying the molecule and a means to solve the phase problem is wanted. We have devised such a scheme using coherent low-energy electrons shaped into a collimated beam by an electrostatic microlens. Initial experiments using a carbon nanotube sample demonstrate the feasibility of coherent low-energy electron diffraction on an individual nanometer-sized object. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.