Transmission electron microscopy for materials science from Coursera

Learn about the fundamentals of transmission electron microscopy in materials sciences: you will be able to understand papers where TEM has been used and have the necessary theoretical basis for taking a practical training on the TEM.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science. For an instrument operated by a single user, modern TEM provides an analytical platform with unsurpassed versatility, giving access to structural and chemical information from the micrometer to the sub-angstrom scale. In a thin, electron-transparent sample one can measure the crystallinity, grain structure, size, and defects, and the chemical composition. The crystal lattice can be imaged with atomic resolution, allowing observation of grain boundaries and interfaces. It is the only direct structural analysis method for studying nanoparticles.

With this course you will gain a deep understanding of modern TEM and the connection between:

- the optics and operation of the instrument;

- the physics of electron-matter interactions;

- insights into the materials properties of the sample.

This gives the background to:

- identify TEM techniques suitable to solving specific scientific problems;

- interpret TEM data presented in articles; appreciate the impact of technological advances that have, for instance, led to sub-angstrom resolution by aberration correction.

It can also be the basis for subsequent practical training on this remarkable instrument, and a stepping stone towards learning very advanced techniques with magical names like “dark field holography” or “angular resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy”.

Recommended background:

Basics of crystallography and diffraction, college optics (construction of ray diagrams) are absolutely mandatory prerequisites; Fourier optics, more advanced crystallography and solid state physics are of great advantage.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

This week will be devoted to an introduction to the instrument, with some historical notes, as well as a review of the building blocks of a transmission electron microscope. In a second part, we will review the main lens aberrations relevant in transmission electron microscopy.

Introduction (II)

This week, we will see how to build the microscope from its individual components: lenses and aperture. Then we will have a review of the operating modes of the microscope.

Diffraction basics (I): Ewald sphere / Reciprocal lattice

In this week on the basics of electron diffraction we discuss the case of 2-beam diffraction at the Bragg angle in TEM and then show how it can be represented by the Ewald sphere/reciprocal lattice construction.

Diffraction basics (II): Multi-beam / Kinematical scattering

In this week we finish on the basics of electron diffraction, by first taking a look at zone axis or multi-beam diffraction where we have scattering from many different crystal planes at the same time. Next, we explain this by a relaxation of the Bragg condition in the Ewald sphere/reciprocal lattice construction resulting from the TEM sample size and shape. We then see how this affects diffraction spot intensity when slightly deviated from the perfect Bragg condition in the 2-beam case.

Diffraction and imaging: Dynamical effects (I)

In this week we will tackle the subject of dynamical scattering in TEM. Dynamical scattering is multiple elastic scattering; it effectively involves the diffraction and rediffraction of electrons as they transmit through a sample. In the first lecture, we look at the basic theory of dynamical scattering in the 2-beam case and use the theoretical expressions to calculate plots of beam intensity versus excitation error for different specimen conditions. In the next lecture, we use this theory to explain the dynamical scattering phenomenon of thickness fringes.

Diffraction and imaging: Dynamical effects (II)

This week we look at more effects of dynamical scattering, on both TEM images and diffraction pattern formation. First we look at how dynamical scattering produces bend contours in bright-field and dark-field images when the crystal lattice is bent across an imaged region of TEM sample. Secondly, a special case of dynamical scattering called double diffraction is introduced, in which multiple elastic scattering leads to the formation of diffraction spots for crystal planes which are systematic absences.

Phase contrast (I)

In this first week about phase contrast, we will define the contrast transfer function of the objective lens. In a second part we will consider an object that affects only weakly the phase of the electron wave and not its amplitude. This will lead us to the definition of the phase contrast transfer function.

Phase contrast (II)

In this week we will analyse more in details the Phase Contrast Transfer Function, and see how it can be used to understand the contrast in the image of a thin amorphous film. In a second part, we will address the high resolution images of crystalline specimens.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops core fundamentals of transmission electron microscopy in the field of material science

Explores the connection between optics, electron-matter interactions, and materials properties of samples

Provides a foundation for identifying suitable TEM techniques for specific scientific problems

Helps learners interpret electron microscopy data commonly found in research articles

Serves as a stepping stone for advanced TEM techniques

Requires background knowledge in crystallography, diffraction, and basic optics

Reviews summary

Transmission electron microscopy masterclass

Learners overwhelmingly report excellent experiences in this holistic course. According to students, this course is well-structured and engaging with passionate instructors. Students report that the visual diagrams helped with understanding complex concepts. Some learners noted that the difficulty increased towards the end of the program. Despite this, learners consistently reported that they filled in critical knowledge gaps. Overall, students highly recommend this course for a well-rounded theoretical understanding of Transmission Electron Microscopy in the field of Materials Science.

Engaging Instructors

"one of the excellent courses in this field"

"The instructors made some of the complex concepts seem simple."

"It was a very good experience with this course. It really helped me fill the knowledge gap which resulted from disruption of education due to COVID while I was pursuing my bachelors degree."

Thorough Knowledge

"Excelente curso, a pesar que no tenia grandes conocimientos al respecto, aprendí mucho gran entrega de información para aprender sobre el uso y manejo del microscopio y análisis de información"

"The amount of knowledge this course gives you after finishing it is absolutely incredible. One is able to understand not only the images that TEM produces in depth , but also how it works and how exactly the images are produced. this causes further understanding of how materials really are on nanoscale and how they react to experiments ."

"It is a very well balanced course for those who want to understand what, how and why of electron microscopy. It is a good course to improve visualization of the reciprocal lattice system. The instructors made some of the complex concepts seem simple."

Variable Difficulty

"The course should be a bit more explanatory if there wasn't any pre requisite on microscopy."

"Very in-depth understanding of the physics of transmission electron microscopy image formation. This course will be very useful in analyzing DPs and images. However, added course materials related to adjusting microscopic variables to arrive at different DPs and images would have made this a comprehensive course, just enough to get started on practically operating TEM and its different modes. "

"The difficulty of the course increased gradually towards the end of the program."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Transmission electron microscopy for materials science with these activities:

Explore the Coursera website

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Become familiar with the online learning platform by exploring the Coursera website. It will help you make the most of the course.

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Navigate to the Coursera website.
Explore the different sections of the website, such as the course catalog and the forums.
熟悉网站的基本功能，例如如何注册课程和访问学习材料。

Review basic physics and math

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Ensure a solid foundation by reviewing basic physics and math concepts before the course begins.

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Review your notes from previous physics and math courses.
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.
Identify areas where you need additional support and seek help from online resources, textbooks, or a tutor.

Read 'Introduction to Electron Microscopy'

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Begin preparation for the course with this seminal work on electron microscopy. Reading it will contribute to a strong foundation for this course.

View Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Textbook... on Amazon

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Read the preface by David B. Williams and C. Barry Carter.
Read the remaining chapters.
Consider reading supplementary material such as journal articles to expand on the book's contents. Note that such additional reading is not required, but it is highly recommended.

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Organize your notes and materials

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Stay organized throughout the course by keeping your notes, assignments, and other materials in one place.

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Create a designated folder or notebook for the course.
File your notes, assignments, and other materials in the designated folder or notebook.
Review your organized materials regularly to reinforce your learning.

Create a glossary of terms

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Develop a deep understanding of the terminology used in the course by building your own glossary. Refer to it as you progress through the course to strengthen your understanding.

Browse courses on Electron Microscopy

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Review course materials to identify key terms.
Define each term in your own words.
Organize the terms by category if desired.

Attend online meetups

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Connect with other learners and professionals in the field by attending online meetups.

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Identify relevant online meetups.
Register for the meetups.
Attend the meetups and actively participate in discussions.

Solve practice problems

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Deepen your understanding of the course concepts by solving practice problems.

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Identify practice problems from the course materials or other sources.
Attempt to solve the problems on your own.
Check your solutions against the provided answer key or consult with the instructor for feedback.

Participate in a TEM workshop

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Gain hands-on experience with TEM techniques by participating in a workshop. It can deepen your understanding and solidify your skills.

Browse courses on Electron Microscopy

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Identify relevant TEM workshops.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.

Contribute to open-source TEM software

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Gain practical experience and deepen your understanding of TEM by contributing to open-source software projects in the field.

Browse courses on Electron Microscopy

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Identify relevant open-source TEM software projects.
Familiarize yourself with the project's codebase and documentation.
Identify a bug or feature that you can contribute to.

Career center

Learners who complete Transmission electron microscopy for materials science will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Professor

A Professor teaches and conducts research at a college or university. This course may be useful to you since it will help you gain a deep understanding of modern TEM and the connection between the optics and operation of the instrument, the physics of electron-matter interactions, and insights into the materials properties of the sample.

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Electron Microscopist

An Electron Microscopist uses electron microscopes to study the structure of materials at the atomic level. This course may be useful to you since it will teach you the fundamentals of transmission electron microscopy in materials sciences, and you will be able to understand papers where TEM has been used and have the necessary theoretical basis for taking a practical training on the TEM.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electron Microscopist

Research Associate

A Research Associate conducts scientific research under the supervision of a senior scientist. This course may be useful to you since it will help you gain a deep understanding of modern TEM and the connection between the optics and operation of the instrument, the physics of electron-matter interactions, and insights into the materials properties of the sample.

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Research Scientist

A Research Scientist conducts scientific research, typically in a laboratory setting. This course may be useful to you since it will help you gain a deep understanding of modern TEM and the connection between the optics and operation of the instrument, the physics of electron-matter interactions, and insights into the materials properties of the sample.

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Microscopy Technician

A Microscopy Technician operates and maintains microscopes. This course may be useful to you since it will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microscopy Technician

Quality Assurance Manager

A Quality Assurance Manager develops and implements quality assurance programs. This course may be useful to you since it will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science.

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Quality Control Inspector

A Quality Control Inspector ensures that products meet quality standards. This course may be useful to you since it will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science.

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Product Development Manager

A Product Development Manager oversees the development of new products. This course may be useful to you since it will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science.

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Materials Engineer

A Materials Engineer develops and tests materials to meet specific engineering requirements. This course may be useful to you since it will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science.

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Laboratory Manager

A Laboratory Manager oversees the operations of a laboratory. This course may be useful to you since it will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science.

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Technical Sales Representative

A Technical Sales Representative sells technical products and services. This course may be useful to you since it will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the field of materials science.

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Materials Scientist

A Materials Scientist researches, develops, and tests new materials, working to improve their properties and performance. This course may be useful to you since it will give you a deep understanding of modern TEM and the connection between the optics and operation of the instrument, the physics of electron-matter interactions, and insights into the materials properties of the sample.

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Science Teacher

A Science Teacher teaches science at the elementary, middle, or high school level. This course may be useful to you since it will help you gain a deep understanding of modern TEM and the connection between the optics and operation of the instrument, the physics of electron-matter interactions, and insights into the materials properties of the sample.

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Science Writer

A Science Writer writes about science for a general audience. This course may be useful to you since it will help you gain a deep understanding of modern TEM and the connection between the optics and operation of the instrument, the physics of electron-matter interactions, and insights into the materials properties of the sample.

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Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and maintains technical documentation, such as user manuals, training materials, and marketing collateral. This course may be useful to you since it will help you gain a deep understanding of modern TEM and the connection between the optics and operation of the instrument, the physics of electron-matter interactions, and insights into the materials properties of the sample.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer