Scientific Achievement

  • Researchers in the Geochemistry (GEO) program discover near-Atomic Resolution 3D Phase Contrast Imaging via Cryo Electron Tomography. Reconstruction pipeline developed for heavy/light element imaging, demonstrated on 8 nm Co3O4 catalyst nanoparticle on 30 nm carbon support.

Significance and Impact

  • 3D atomic imaging of both heavy and light elements was not previously possible due to large differences in phase contrast. We achieve 1.6 Å resolution over a 50 nm³ volume, demonstrating a new capability for revealing complex interfacial and defect structures.

Research Details

  • Multiple-scattering physics enabled 3D phase contrast
  • Recovery of classically-forbidden missing-wedge information
  • Interfacial structure and internal dislocations revealed

Publication Details

J. Lee, S. W. Song, M. G. Cho, G. Varnavides, S. M. Ribet, C. Ophus, M. C. Scott, M. L. Whittaker, Nature Communications (2026).

DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-67303-5

Work was performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.