Inverting Dynamical Diffraction for 3D Reconstruction of Mesoscopic and Microscopic Fields

• Applicant: Dr. Laura Niermann
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 578097784

Progress in modern technologies requires precise 3D control of mesoscopic and microscopic fields, such as the strain field or interfacial charge distributions, but is hampered by the lack of suitable lab-based characterization tools. Current techniques of (scanning-) transmission electron microscopy are limited to 2D analysis or impractically thin specimens due to strong dynamical diffraction effects, a multiple-scattering phenomenon that scrambles the information about the 3D specimen structure. This project establishes a new paradigm: treating dynamical diffraction not as an obstacle, but as a rich signal to be computationally decoded for 3D information. The central goal of this project is the development of a computational inversion method for reconstructing mesoscopic and microscopic 3D continuum fields from specimens of thicknesses which are representative of the bulk material, enabling for the first time a true 3D mapping of the full strain tensor and interfacial electrostatic fields. By providing the international community with this powerful tool, this project will enable a true 3D understanding of structure-property relationships and establish a new key direction in microscopy unlocking the 3D information hidden within dynamical diffraction phenomena.

• DFG Programme: Emmy Noether Independent Research Groups
• International Connection: USA
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Colin Ophus; Dr. Di Zhang