Overcoming contrast reversals in focused probe ptychography of thick materials: An optimal pipeline for efficiently determining local atomic structure in materials science

Ptychography provides highly efficient imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), but questions have remained over its applicability to strongly scattering samples such as those most commonly seen in materials science. Although contrast reversals can appear in ptychographic phase images as the projected potentials of the sample increase, we show here how these can be easily overcome by a small amount of defocus. The amount of defocus is small enough that it not only can exist naturally when focusing using the annular dark field (ADF) signal but can also be adjusted post acquisition. The ptychographic images of strongly scattering materials are clearer at finite doses than other STEM techniques and can better reveal light atomic columns within heavy lattices. In addition, data for ptychography can now be collected simultaneously with the fastest of ADF scans. This combination of sensitivity and interpretability presents an ideal workflow for materials science. (C) 2022 Author(s).

Automated summary

Ptychography provides highly efficient imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy, and it can be applied to strongly scattering samples. Contrast reversals in ptychographic phase images can be overcome by a small amount of defocus. Ptychography offers clear and sensitive imaging, making it suitable for materials science.