03 October 2014

3D Reconstruction from a Single Image

Scientists from Jülich and Xi'an have developed a new method with which crystal structures can be reconstructed with atomic precision in all three dimensions. Admittedly, they did not use a picture from a simple digital camera to perform this feat, but rather an image from an ultra-high resolution electron microscope. The process is also especially suitable for the spatial mapping of radiation-sensitive samples, which would be quickly destroyed by the high energy measurement beam.


Their approach offers many advantages; radiation-sensitive samples can also be studied, which would otherwise be quickly damaged by the microscope's high-energy electron beam. The comparatively short data acquisition time involved could even make it possible in the future to observe the transient intermediate steps of chemical reactions. It also enables a measurement procedure to detect not only heavy but also light chemical elements, such as oxygen.

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