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Author Varambhia, A.M.; Jones, L.; De Backer, A.; Fauske, V.T.; Van Aert, S.; Ozkaya, D.; Nellist, P.D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Quantifying a Heterogeneous Ru Catalyst on Carbon Black Using ADF STEM Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication (up) Particle and particle systems characterization Abbreviated Journal Part Part Syst Char  
  Volume 33 Issue 33 Pages 438-444  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Ru catalysts are part of a set of late transition metal nanocatalysts that have garnered much interest for catalytic applications such as ammonia synthesis and fuel cell production. Their performance varies greatly depending on their morphology and size, these catalysts are widely studied using electron microscopy. Using recent developments in Annular Dark Field (ADF) Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) quantification techniques, a rapid atom counting procedure was utilized to document the evolution of a heterogeneous Ru catalyst supported on carbon black. Areas of the catalyst were imaged for approximately 15 minutes using ADF STEM. When the Ru clusters were exposed to the electron beam, the clusters changed phase from amorphous to crystalline. To quantify the thickness of the crystalline clusters, two techniques were applied (simulation and statistical decomposition) and compared. These techniques show that stable face centredcubic crystal structures in the form of rafts, between 2 and 8 atoms thick, were formed after the initial wetting of the carbon support.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000379970000012 Publication Date 2016-06-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0934-0866 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.474 Times cited 4 Open Access  
  Notes The authors would like to thank the EPSRC and Johnson Matthey for funding this work as part of a CASE-Award studentship. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement 312483 – ESTEEM2 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative–I3). We would like to thank Brian Theobald and Jonathan Sharman from JMTC for provision of the samples The authors gratefully acknowledge the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) for funding and for a postdoctoral grant to ADB. The microscope used was funded by the INFRASTRUKTUR Grant 197405 (NORTEM) program of the Research Council of Norway.; esteem2_jra2 Approved Most recent IF: 4.474  
  Call Number c:irua:134036 c:irua:134036 Serial 4086  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Van Aert, S.; de Backer, A.; Martinez, G.T.; Goris, B.; Bals, S.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Rosenauer, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Procedure to count atoms with trustworthy single-atom sensitivity Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2013 Publication (up) Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics Abbreviated Journal Phys Rev B  
  Volume 87 Issue 6 Pages 064107-6  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract We report a method to reliably count the number of atoms from high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. A model-based analysis of the experimental images is used to measure scattering cross sections at the atomic level. The high sensitivity of these measurements in combination with a thorough statistical analysis enables us to count atoms with single-atom sensitivity. The validity of the results is confirmed by means of detailed image simulations. We will show that the method can be applied to nanocrystals of arbitrary shape, size, and atom type without the need for a priori knowledge about the atomic structure.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000315144700006 Publication Date 2013-02-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1098-0121;1550-235X; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.836 Times cited 106 Open Access  
  Notes FWO; 262348 ESMI; 312483 ESTEEM2;246791 COUNTATOMS; Hercules 3; esteem2_jra2 Approved Most recent IF: 3.836; 2013 IF: 3.664  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:105674 Serial 2718  
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Author van den Bos, K.H. W.; De Backer, A.; Martinez, G.T.; Winckelmans, N.; Bals, S.; Nellist, P.D.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Unscrambling Mixed Elements using High Angle Annular Dark Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication (up) Physical review letters Abbreviated Journal Phys Rev Lett  
  Volume 116 Issue 116 Pages 246101  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The development of new nanocrystals with outstanding physicochemical properties requires a full threedimensional (3D) characterization at the atomic scale. For homogeneous nanocrystals, counting the number of atoms in each atomic column from high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images has been shown to be a successful technique to get access to this 3D information. However, technologically important nanostructures often consist of more than one chemical element. In order to extend atom counting to heterogeneous materials, a new atomic lensing model is presented. This model takes dynamical electron diffraction into account and opens up new possibilities for unraveling the 3D composition at the atomic scale. Here, the method is applied to determine the 3D structure of Au@Ag core-shell nanorods, but it is applicable to a wide range of heterogeneous complex nanostructures.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000378059500010 Publication Date 2016-06-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9007 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.462 Times cited 46 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through Projects No. G.0374.13N, No. G.0368.15N, and No. G.0369.15N, and by grants to K. H.W. van den Bos and A. De Backer. S. Bals and N. Winckelmans acknowledge funding from the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. COLOURATOMS 335078). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under Grant No. 312483—ESTEEM2. The authors are grateful to A. Rosenauer for providing the STEMsim program.; esteem2jra2; ECASSara; (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:can); Approved Most recent IF: 8.462  
  Call Number c:irua:133954 c:irua:133954 Serial 4084  
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Author Van Aert, S.; De Backer, A.; Jones, L.; Martinez, G.T.; Béché, A.; Nellist, P.D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Control of Knock-On Damage for 3D Atomic Scale Quantification of Nanostructures: Making Every Electron Count in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication (up) Physical review letters Abbreviated Journal Phys Rev Lett  
  Volume 122 Issue 6 Pages 066101  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Understanding nanostructures down to the atomic level is the key to optimizing the design of advancedmaterials with revolutionary novel properties. This requires characterization methods capable of quantifying the three-dimensional (3D) atomic structure with the highest possible precision. A successful approach to reach this goal is to count the number of atoms in each atomic column from 2D annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. To count atoms with single atom sensitivity, a minimum electron dose has been shown to be necessary, while on the other hand beam damage, induced by the high energy electrons, puts a limit on the tolerable dose. An important challenge is therefore to develop experimental strategies to optimize the electron dose by balancing atom-counting fidelity vs the risk of knock-on damage. To achieve this goal, a statistical framework combined with physics-based modeling of the dose-dependent processes is here proposed and experimentally verified. This model enables an investigator to theoretically predict, in advance of an experimental measurement, the optimal electron dose resulting in an unambiguous quantification of nanostructures in their native state with the highest attainable precision.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000458824200008 Publication Date 2019-02-13  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9007 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.462 Times cited 3 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 770887). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (WO.010.16N, G.0934.17N, G.0502.18N, G.0267.18N), and a grant to A. D. B. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 312483— ESTEEM2 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative-I3) and the UK EPSRC (Grant No. EP/M010708/1). Approved Most recent IF: 8.462  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @UA @ admin @ c:irua:157175 Serial 5156  
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Author De wael, A.; De Backer, A.; Jones, L.; Varambhia, A.; Nellist, P.D.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Measuring Dynamic Structural Changes of Nanoparticles at the Atomic Scale Using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication (up) Physical Review Letters Abbreviated Journal Phys Rev Lett  
  Volume 124 Issue 10 Pages 106105  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract We propose a new method to measure atomic scale dynamics of nanoparticles from experimental high-resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. By using the so-called hidden Markov model, which explicitly models the possibility of structural changes, the number of atoms in each atomic column can be quantified over time. This newly proposed method outperforms the current atom-counting procedure and enables the determination of the probabilities and cross sections for surface diffusion. This method is therefore of great importance for revealing and quantifying the atomic structure when it evolves over time via adatom dynamics, surface diffusion, beam effects, or during in situ experiments.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000519718100015 Publication Date 2020-03-13  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0031-9007 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 770887 and No. 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through grants to A.D.w. and A.D.B. and projects G.0502.18N and EOS 30489208. L.J. acknowledges the SFI AMBER Centre for support. A.V. and P.D.N. acknowledge the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC) for support (EP/K040375/1 and 1772738). A.V. also acknowledges Johnson-Matthey for support. We would like to thank Brian Theobald and Jonathan Sharman from JMTC Sonning for provision of the Pt sample. Approved Most recent IF: 8.6; 2020 IF: 8.462  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:167148 Serial 6347  
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Author Hudry, D.; De Backer, A.; Popescu, R.; Busko, D.; Howard, I.A.; Bals, S.; Zhang, Y.; Pedrazo‐Tardajos, A.; Van Aert, S.; Gerthsen, D.; Altantzis, T.; Richards, B.S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Interface Pattern Engineering in Core‐Shell Upconverting Nanocrystals: Shedding Light on Critical Parameters and Consequences for the Photoluminescence Properties Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication (up) Small Abbreviated Journal Small  
  Volume Issue Pages 2104441  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)  
  Abstract Advances in controlling energy migration pathways in core-shell lanthanide (Ln)-based hetero-nanocrystals (HNCs) have relied heavily on assumptions about how optically active centers are distributed within individual HNCs. In this article, it is demonstrated that different types of interface patterns can be formed depending on shell growth conditions. Such interface patterns are not only identified but also characterized with spatial resolution ranging from the nanometer- to the atomic-scale. In the most favorable cases, atomic-scale resolved maps of individual particles are obtained. It is also demonstrated that, for the same type of core-shell architecture, the interface pattern can be engineered with thicknesses of just 1 nm up to several tens of nanometers. Total alloying between the core and shell domains is also possible when using ultra-small particles as seeds. Finally, with different types of interface patterns (same architecture and chemical composition of the core and shell domains) it is possible to modify the output color (yellow, red, and green-yellow) or change (improvement or degradation) the absolute upconversion quantum yield. The results presented in this article introduce an important paradigm shift and pave the way toward the emergence of a new generation of core-shell Ln-based HNCs with better control over their atomic-scale organization.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000710758000001 Publication Date 2021-10-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1613-6810 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.643 Times cited 17 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Helmholtz Recruitment Initiative Fellowship (B.S.R.) and the Helmholtz Association's Research Field Energy (Materials and Technologies for the Energy Transition program, Topic 1 Photovoltaics and Wind Energy). The authors would like to thank the Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility (KNMF) for STEM access. This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant agreement no. 770887 PICOMETRICS to S.V.A. and Grant agreement no. 815128 REALNANO to S.B.). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through Projects no. G.0502.18N, G.0267.18N, and a postdoctoral grant to A.D.B. T.A. acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF). This project had received funding (EUSMI proposal #E181100205) from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant agreement no 731019 (EUSMI). D.H. would like to thank “CGFigures” for helpful tutorials on 3D graphics with Blender.; sygmaSB Approved Most recent IF: 8.643  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:183285 Serial 6817  
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Author De Backer, A.; Zhang, Z.; van den Bos, K.H.W.; Bladt, E.; Sánchez‐Iglesias, A.; Liz‐Marzán, L.M.; Nellist, P.D.; Bals, S.; Van Aert, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Element Specific Atom Counting at the Atomic Scale by Combining High Angle Annular Dark Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication (up) Small methods Abbreviated Journal Small Methods  
  Volume Issue Pages 2200875  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract A new methodology is presented to count the number of atoms in multimetallic nanocrystals by combining energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF STEM). For this purpose, the existence of a linear relationship between the incoherent HAADF STEM and EDX images is exploited. Next to the number of atoms for each element in the atomic columns, the method also allows quantification of the error in the obtained number of atoms, which is of importance given the noisy nature of the acquired EDX signals. Using experimental images of an Au@Ag core–shell nanorod, it is demonstrated that 3D structural information can be extracted at the atomic scale. Furthermore, simulated data of an Au@Pt core–shell nanorod show the prospect to characterize heterogeneous nanostructures with adjacent atomic numbers.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000862072700001 Publication Date 2022-09-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2366-9608 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.4 Times cited 5 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S.V.A., Grant 815128 REALNANO to S.B., and Grant 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0267.18N, G.0502.18N, G.0346.21N) and a postdoctoral grant to A.D.B.; esteem3reported; esteem3JRA Approved Most recent IF: 12.4  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:191570 Serial 7109  
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Author de Backer, A.; Martinez, G.T.; Rosenauer, A.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Atom counting in HAADF STEM using a statistical model-based approach : methodology, possibilities, and inherent limitations Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2013 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 134 Issue Pages 23-33  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract In the present paper, a statistical model-based method to count the number of atoms of monotype crystalline nanostructures from high resolution high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images is discussed in detail together with a thorough study on the possibilities and inherent limitations. In order to count the number of atoms, it is assumed that the total scattered intensity scales with the number of atoms per atom column. These intensities are quantitatively determined using model-based statistical parameter estimation theory. The distribution describing the probability that intensity values are generated by atomic columns containing a specific number of atoms is inferred on the basis of the experimental scattered intensities. Finally, the number of atoms per atom column is quantified using this estimated probability distribution. The number of atom columns available in the observed STEM image, the number of components in the estimated probability distribution, the width of the components of the probability distribution, and the typical shape of a criterion to assess the number of components in the probability distribution directly affect the accuracy and precision with which the number of atoms in a particular atom column can be estimated. It is shown that single atom sensitivity is feasible taking the latter aspects into consideration.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000324474900005 Publication Date 2013-05-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 48 Open Access  
  Notes FWO; Esteem2; FP 2007-2013; esteem2_jra2 Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2013 IF: 2.745  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:109916 Serial 162  
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Author de Backer, A.; Martinez, G.T.; MacArthur, K.E.; Jones, L.; Béché, A.; Nellist, P.D.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Dose limited reliability of quantitative annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy for nano-particle atom-counting Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2015 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 151 Issue 151 Pages 56-61  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Quantitative annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF STEM) has become a powerful technique to characterise nano-particles on an atomic scale. Because of their limited size and beam sensitivity, the atomic structure of such particles may become extremely challenging to determine. Therefore keeping the incoming electron dose to a minimum is important. However, this may reduce the reliability of quantitative ADF STEM which will here be demonstrated for nano-particle atom-counting. Based on experimental ADF STEM images of a real industrial catalyst, we discuss the limits for counting the number of atoms in a projected atomic column with single atom sensitivity. We diagnose these limits by combining a thorough statistical method and detailed image simulations.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000351237800008 Publication Date 2014-12-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 29 Open Access  
  Notes 312483 Esteem2; 278510 Vortex; Fwo G039311; G006410; G037413; esteem2ta; ECASJO; Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2015 IF: 2.436  
  Call Number c:irua:123927 c:irua:123927 Serial 753  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author den Dekker, A.J.; Gonnissen, J.; de Backer, A.; Sijbers, J.; Van Aert, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Estimation of unknown structure parameters from high-resolution (S)TEM images : what are the limits? Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2013 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 134 Issue Pages 34-43  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract Statistical parameter estimation theory is proposed as a quantitative method to measure unknown structure parameters from electron microscopy images. Images are then purely considered as data planes from which structure parameters have to be determined as accurately and precisely as possible using a parametric statistical model of the observations. For this purpose, an efficient algorithm is proposed for the estimation of atomic column positions and intensities from high angle annular dark field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images. Furthermore, the so-called CramérRao lower bound (CRLB) is reviewed to determine the limits to the precision with which continuous parameters such as atomic column positions and intensities can be estimated. Since this lower bound can only be derived for continuous parameters, alternative measures using the principles of detection theory are introduced for problems concerning the estimation of discrete parameters such as atomic numbers. An experimental case study is presented to show the practical use of these measures for the optimization of the experiment design if the purpose is to decide between the presence of specific atom types using STEM images.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000324474900006 Publication Date 2013-06-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 31 Open Access  
  Notes FWO; FP 2007-2013; Esteem2; esteem2_jra2 Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2013 IF: 2.745  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:109240 Serial 1083  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.; van Dyck, D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title High precision measurements of atom column positions using model-based exit wave reconstruction Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2011 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 111 Issue 9/10 Pages 1475-1482  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract In this paper, it has been investigated how to measure atom column positions as accurately and precisely as possible using a focal series of images. In theory, it is expected that the precision would considerably improve using a maximum likelihood estimator based on the full series of focal images. As such, the theoretical lower bound on the variances of the unknown atom column positions can be attained. However, this approach is numerically demanding. Therefore, maximum likelihood estimation has been compared with the results obtained by fitting a model to a reconstructed exit wave rather than to the full series of focal images. Hence, a real space model-based exit wave reconstruction technique based on the channelling theory is introduced. Simulations show that the reconstructed complex exit wave contains the same amount of information concerning the atom column positions as the full series of focal images. Only for thin samples, which act as weak phase objects, this information can be retrieved from the phase of the reconstructed complex exit wave.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000300461200004 Publication Date 2011-07-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 8 Open Access  
  Notes Fwo Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2011 IF: 2.471  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:91879 Serial 1438  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Backer, A.; De wael, A.; Gonnissen, J.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Optimal experimental design for nano-particle atom-counting from high-resolution STEM images Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2015 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 151 Issue 151 Pages 46-55  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract In the present paper, the principles of detection theory are used to quantify the probability of error for atom-counting from high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR STEM) images. Binary and multiple hypothesis testing have been investigated in order to determine the limits to the precision with which the number of atoms in a projected atomic column can be estimated. The probability of error has been calculated when using STEM images, scattering cross-sections or peak intensities as a criterion to count atoms. Based on this analysis, we conclude that scattering cross-sections perform almost equally well as images and perform better than peak intensities. Furthermore, the optimal STEM detector design can be derived for atom-counting using the expression for the probability of error. We show that for very thin objects LAADF is optimal and that for thicker objects the optimal inner detector angle increases.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000351237800007 Publication Date 2014-11-11  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 24 Open Access  
  Notes 312483 Esteem2; Fwo G039311; G037413; esteem2_jra2 Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2015 IF: 2.436  
  Call Number c:irua:123926 c:irua:123926 Serial 2481  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Martinez, G.T.; Rosenauer, A.; de Backer, A.; Verbeeck, J.; Van Aert, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Quantitative composition determination at the atomic level using model-based high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2014 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 137 Issue Pages 12-19  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract High angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF STEM) images provide sample information which is sensitive to the chemical composition. The image intensities indeed scale with the mean atomic number Z. To some extent, chemically different atomic column types can therefore be visually distinguished. However, in order to quantify the atomic column composition with high accuracy and precision, model-based methods are necessary. Therefore, an empirical incoherent parametric imaging model can be used of which the unknown parameters are determined using statistical parameter estimation theory (Van Aert et al., 2009, [1]). In this paper, it will be shown how this method can be combined with frozen lattice multislice simulations in order to evolve from a relative toward an absolute quantification of the composition of single atomic columns with mixed atom types. Furthermore, the validity of the model assumptions are explored and discussed.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000331092200003 Publication Date 2013-11-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 74 Open Access  
  Notes FWO; FP7; ERC Countatoms; ESTEEM2; esteem2_ta Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2014 IF: 2.436  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:111579UA @ admin @ c:irua:111579 Serial 2749  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Martinez, G.T.; Jones, L.; de Backer, A.; Béché, A.; Verbeeck, J.; Van Aert, S.; Nellist, P.D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Quantitative STEM normalisation : the importance of the electron flux Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2015 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 159 Issue 159 Pages 46-58  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Annular dark-field (ADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has become widely used in quantitative studies based on the opportunity to directly compare experimental and simulated images. This comparison merely requires the experimental data to be normalised and expressed in units of fractional beam-current. However, inhomogeneities in the response of electron detectors can complicate this normalisation. The quantification procedure becomes both experiment and instrument specific, requiring new simulations for the particular response of each instrument's detector, and for every camera-length used. This not only impedes the comparison between different instruments and research groups, but can also be computationally very time consuming. Furthermore, not all image simulation methods allow for the inclusion of an inhomogeneous detector response. In this work, we propose an alternative method for normalising experimental data in order to compare these with simulations that consider a homogeneous detector response. To achieve this, we determine the electron flux distribution reaching the detector by means of a camera-length series or a so-called atomic column cross-section averaged convergent beam electron diffraction (XSACBED) pattern. The result is then used to determine the relative weighting of the detector response. Here we show that the results obtained by this new electron flux weighted (EFW) method are comparable to the currently used method, while considerably simplifying the needed simulation libraries. The proposed method also allows one to obtain a metric that describes the quality of the detector response in comparison with the ideal detector response.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000366220000006 Publication Date 2015-08-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 27 Open Access  
  Notes 246791 Countatoms; 278510 Vortex; 312483 Esteem2; Fwo G036815; G036915; G037413; G004413; esteem2ta ECASJO; Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2015 IF: 2.436  
  Call Number c:irua:127293 c:irua:127293UA @ admin @ c:irua:127293 Serial 2762  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gonnissen, J.; De Backer, A.; den Dekker, A.J.; Sijbers, J.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Detecting and locating light atoms from high-resolution STEM images: The quest for a single optimal design Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 170 Issue 170 Pages 128-138  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract In the present paper, the optimal detector design is investigated for both detecting and locating light atoms from high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR STEM) images. The principles of detection theory are used to quantify the probability of error for the detection of light atoms from HR STEM images. To determine the optimal experiment design for locating light atoms, use is made of the so-called Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB). It is investigated if a single optimal design can be found for both the detection and location problem of light atoms. Furthermore, the incoming electron dose is optimised for both research goals and it is shown that picometre range precision is feasible for the estimation of the atom positions when using an appropriate incoming electron dose under the optimal detector settings to detect light atoms.  
  Address Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: sandra.vanaert@uantwerpen.be  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000386925500014 Publication Date 2016-07-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 6 Open Access  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0368.15, G.0369.15 and G.0374.13) and a postdoctoral research grant to A. De Backer. The research leading to these results has also received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme [FP7/2007-2013] under Grant agreement no. 312483 (ESTEEM2). The authors would also like to thank A. Rosenauer for providing access to the STEMsim software and Gerardo T. Martinez for fruitful discussions.; esteem2_jra2 Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number c:irua:135337 c:irua:135337 Serial 4128  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De Backer, A.; van den Bos, K.H.W.; Van den Broek, W.; Sijbers, J.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title StatSTEM: An efficient approach for accurate and precise model-based quantification of atomic resolution electron microscopy images Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 171 Issue 171 Pages 104-116  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract An efficient model-based estimation algorithm is introduced to quantify the atomic column positions and intensities from atomic resolution (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) images. This algorithm uses the least squares estimator on image segments containing individual columns fully accounting for overlap between neighbouring columns, enabling the analysis of a large field of view. For this algorithm, the accuracy and precision with which measurements for the atomic column positions and scattering cross-sections from annular dark field (ADF) STEM images can be estimated, has been investigated. The highest attainable precision is reached even for low dose images. Furthermore, the advantages of the model-based approach taking into account overlap between neighbouring columns are highlighted. This is done for the estimation of the distance between two neighbouring columns as a function of their distance and for the estimation of the scattering cross-section which is compared to the integrated intensity from a Voronoi cell. To provide end-users this well-established quantification method, a user friendly program, StatSTEM, is developed which is freely available under a GNU public license.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000389106200014 Publication Date 2016-09-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 43 Open Access  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0393.11, G.0064.10 and G.0374.13), a Ph.D. research grant to K.H.W. van den Bos, and a postdoctoral research grant to A. De Backer. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement 312483 – ESTEEM2 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative-I3). A. Rosenauer is acknowledged for providing the STEMsim program.; esteem2_jra2 Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:135516 Serial 4280  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gonnissen, J.; De Backer, A.; den Dekker, A.J.; Sijbers, J.; Van Aert, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Atom-counting in High Resolution Electron Microscopy: TEM or STEM – that's the question Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 174 Issue 174 Pages 112-120  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract In this work, a recently developed quantitative approach based on the principles of detection theory is used in order to determine the possibilities and limitations of High Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR STEM) and HR TEM for atom-counting. So far, HR STEM has been shown to be an appropriate imaging mode to count the number of atoms in a projected atomic column. Recently, it has been demonstrated that HR TEM, when using negative spherical aberration imaging, is suitable for atom-counting as well. The capabilities of both imaging techniques are investigated and compared using the probability of error as a criterion. It is shown that for the same incoming electron dose, HR STEM outperforms HR TEM under common practice standards, i.e. when the decision is based on the probability function of the peak intensities in HR TEM and of the scattering cross-sections in HR STEM. If the atom-counting decision is based on the joint probability function of the image pixel values, the dependence of all image pixel intensities as a function of thickness should be known accurately. Under this assumption, the probability of error may decrease significantly for atom-counting in HR TEM and may, in theory, become lower as compared to HR STEM under the predicted optimal experimental settings. However, the commonly used standard for atom-counting in HR STEM leads to a high performance and has been shown to work in practice.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000403342200013 Publication Date 2016-10-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 2 Open Access  
  Notes The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0368.15N, G.0369.15N, G.0374.13N, and WO.010.16N) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme [FP7/2007-2013] under Grant agreement no. 312483 (ESTEEM2). Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:137102 Serial 4315  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Alania, M.; Altantzis, T.; De Backer, A.; Lobato, I.; Bals, S.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Depth sectioning combined with atom-counting in HAADF STEM to retrieve the 3D atomic structure Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 177 Issue 177 Pages 36-42  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Aberration correction in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has greatly improved the lateral and depth resolution. When using depth sectioning, a technique during which a series of images is recorded at different defocus values, single impurity atoms can be visualised in three dimensions. In this paper, we investigate new possibilities emerging when combining depth sectioning and precise atom-counting in order to reconstruct nanosized particles in three dimensions. Although the depth resolution does not allow one to precisely locate each atom within an atomic column, it will be shown that the depth location of an atomic column as a whole can be measured precisely. In this manner, the morphology of a nanoparticle can be reconstructed in three dimensions. This will be demonstrated using simulations and experimental data of a gold nanorod.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000401219800006 Publication Date 2016-11-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 13 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the European Union under the Seventh Framework Program under a contract for an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative. Reference No. 312483-ESTEEM2. S. Bals acknowledges funding from the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. COLOURATOMS 335078). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0374.13N, G.0369.15N and G.0368.15N) and a post-doctoral grant to A. De Backer and T. Altantzis. The authors are grateful to Professor Luis M. Liz-Marzán for providing the sample.; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:138015UA @ admin @ c:irua:138015 Serial 4316  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Alania, M.; De Backer, A.; Lobato, I.; Krause, F.F.; Van Dyck, D.; Rosenauer, A.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title How precise can atoms of a nanocluster be located in 3D using a tilt series of scanning transmission electron microscopy images? Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 181 Issue 181 Pages 134-143  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract In this paper, we investigate how precise atoms of a small nanocluster can ultimately be located in three dimensions (3D) from a tilt series of images acquired using annular dark field (ADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Therefore, we derive an expression for the statistical precision with which the 3D atomic position coordinates can be estimated in a quantitative analysis. Evaluating this statistical precision as a function of the microscope settings also allows us to derive the optimal experimental design. In this manner, the optimal angular tilt range, required electron dose, optimal detector angles, and number of projection images can be determined.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000411170800016 Publication Date 2016-12-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 3 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the European Union under the Seventh Framework Program under a contract for an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative. Reference No. 312483-ESTEEM2. The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0374.13N, G.0369.15N, G.0368.15N, and WO.010.16N) and a post-doctoral grant to A. De Backer, and from the DFG under contract No. RO-2057/4-2. Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:144432 Serial 4618  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De wael, A.; De Backer, A.; Jones, L.; Nellist, P.D.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Hybrid statistics-simulations based method for atom-counting from ADF STEM images Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 177 Issue 177 Pages 69-77  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract A hybrid statistics-simulations based method for atom-counting from annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF STEM) images of monotype crystalline nanostructures is presented. Different atom-counting methods already exist for model-like systems. However, the increasing relevance of radiation damage in the study of nanostructures demands a method that allows atom-counting from low dose images with a low signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore, the hybrid method directly includes prior knowledge from image simulations into the existing statistics-based method for atom-counting, and accounts in this manner for possible discrepancies between actual and simulated experimental conditions. It is shown by means of simulations and experiments that this hybrid method outperforms the statistics-based method, especially for low electron doses and small nanoparticles. The analysis of a simulated low dose image of a small nanoparticle suggests that this method allows for far more reliable quantitative analysis of beam-sensitive materials.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000401219800010 Publication Date 2017-01-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 8 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0374.13N, G.0368.15N, G.0369.15N, and WO.010.16N), and a postdoctoral research Grant to A. De Backer. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement 312483 – ESTEEM2 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative-I3). The authors are grateful to G.T. Martinez for providing image simulations. Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:141718 Serial 4486  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Schryvers, D.; Salje, E.K.H.; Nishida, M.; De Backer, A.; Idrissi, H.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Quantification by aberration corrected (S)TEM of boundaries formed by symmetry breaking phase transformations Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 176 Issue Pages 194-199  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The present contribution gives a review of recent quantification work of atom displacements, atom site occupations and level of crystallinity in various systems and based on aberration corrected HR(S)TEM images. Depending on the case studied, picometer range precisions for individual distances can be obtained, boundary widths at the unit cell level determined or statistical evolutions of fractions of the ordered areas calculated. In all of these cases, these quantitative measures imply new routes for the applications of the respective materials.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000403992200026 Publication Date 2017-01-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (G.0064.10N, G.0393.11N, G.0374.13N, G.0368.15N, G.0369.15N) and the Flemish Hercules 3 program for large infrastructure as well as financial support from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007 – 2013) under Grant agreement no. 312483 (ESTEEM2). EKHS thanks EPSRC (EP/ K009702/1) and the Leverhulme trust (EM-2016-004) for support. DS and MN acknowledge financial support from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS, Japan) through the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A: No. 26249090) and the Strategic Young Researcher Overseas Visits Program for Accelerating Brain Circulation (R2408). Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:149654 Serial 4914  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author van den Bos, K.H.W.; Janssens, L.; De Backer, A.; Nellist, P.D.; Van Aert, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The atomic lensing model: new opportunities for atom-by-atom metrology of heterogeneous nanomaterials Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 203 Issue Pages 155  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The atomic lensing model has been proposed as a promising method facilitating atom-counting in heterogeneous nanocrystals [1]. Here, image simulations will validate the model, which describes dynamical diffraction as a superposition of individual atoms focussing the incident electrons. It will be demonstrated that the model is reliable in the annular dark field regime for crystals having columns containing dozens of atoms. By using the principles of statistical detection theory, it will be shown that this model gives new opportunities for detecting compositional differences.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000465021000020 Publication Date 2018-12-06  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 4 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0369.15N, G.0502.18N and WO.010.16N), and by personal grants to K.H.W. van den Bos and A. De Backer. This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 770887). Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @UA @ admin @ c:irua:155721 Serial 5074  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De wael, A.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Hidden Markov model for atom-counting from sequential ADF STEM images: Methodology, possibilities and limitations Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 219 Issue Pages 113131  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract We present a quantitative method which allows us to reliably measure dynamic changes in the atomic structure of monatomic crystalline nanomaterials from a time series of atomic resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. The approach is based on the so-called hidden Markov model and estimates the number of atoms in each atomic column of the nanomaterial in each frame of the time series. We discuss the origin of the improved performance for time series atom-counting as compared to the current state-of-the-art atom-counting procedures, and show that the so-called transition probabilities that describe the probability for an atomic column to lose or gain one or more atoms from frame to frame are particularly important. Using these transition probabilities, we show that the method can also be used to estimate the probability and cross section related to structural changes. Furthermore, we explore the possibilities for applying the method to time series recorded under variable environmental conditions. The method is shown to be promising for a reliable quantitative analysis of dynamic processes such as surface diffusion, adatom dynamics, beam effects, or in situ experiments.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000594770500003 Publication Date 2020-10-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 770887 and No. 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through grants to A.D.w. and A.D.B. and projects G.0502.18N and EOS 30489208. Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2020 IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:172449 Serial 6417  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De wael, A.; De Backer, A.; Lobato, I.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Modelling ADF STEM images using elliptical Gaussian peaks and its effects on the quantification of structure parameters in the presence of sample tilt Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2021 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume Issue Pages 113391  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract A small sample tilt away from a main zone axis orientation results in an elongation of the atomic columns in ADF STEM images. An often posed research question is therefore whether the ADF STEM image intensities of tilted nanomaterials should be quantified using a parametric imaging model consisting of elliptical rather than the currently used symmetrical peaks. To this purpose, simulated ADF STEM images corresponding to different amounts of sample tilt are studied using a parametric imaging model that consists of superimposed 2D elliptical Gaussian peaks on the one hand and symmetrical Gaussian peaks on the other hand. We investigate the quantification of structural parameters such as atomic column positions and scattering cross sections using both parametric imaging models. In this manner, we quantitatively study what can be gained from this elliptical model for quantitative ADF STEM, despite the increased parameter space and computational effort. Although a qualitative improvement can be achieved, no significant quantitative improvement in the estimated structure parameters is achieved by the elliptical model as compared to the symmetrical model. The decrease in scattering cross sections with increasing sample tilt is even identical for both types of parametric imaging models. This impedes direct comparison with zone axis image simulations. Nonetheless, we demonstrate how reliable atom-counting can still be achieved in the presence of small sample tilt.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000704334200001 Publication Date 2021-09-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 770887 and No. 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through grants to A.D.w. and A.D.B. and projects G.0502.18N, G.0267.18N, and EOS 30489208. S.V.A. acknowledges TOP BOF funding from the University of Antwerp.; esteem3JRA; esteem3reported Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:181462 Serial 6810  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sentürk, D.G.; De Backer, A.; Friedrich, T.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Optimal experiment design for element specific atom counting using multiple annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy detectors Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2022 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 242 Issue Pages 113626  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract This paper investigates the possible benefits for counting atoms of different chemical nature when analysing multiple 2D scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images resulting from independent annular dark field (ADF) detector regimes. To reach this goal, the principles of statistical detection theory are used to quantify the probability of error when determining the number of atoms in atomic columns consisting of multiple types of elements. In order to apply this theory, atom-counting is formulated as a statistical hypothesis test, where each hypothesis corresponds to a specific number of atoms of each atom type in an atomic column. The probability of error, which is limited by the unavoidable presence of electron counting noise, can then be computed from scattering-cross sections extracted from multiple ADF STEM images. Minimisation of the probability of error as a function of the inner and outer angles of a specified number of independent ADF collection regimes results in optimal experimental designs. Based on simulations of spherical Au@Ag and Au@Pt core–shell nanoparticles, we investigate how the combination of two non-overlapping detector regimes helps to improve the probability of error when unscrambling two types of atoms. In particular, the combination of a narrow low angle ADF detector with a detector formed by the remaining annular collection regime is found to be optimal. The benefit is more significant if the atomic number Z difference becomes larger. In

addition, we show the benefit of subdividing the detector regime into three collection areas for heterogeneous nanostructures based on a structure consisting of three types of elements, e.g., a mixture of Au, Ag and Al atoms. Finally, these results are compared with the probability of error resulting when one would ultimately use a pixelated 4D STEM detector and how this could help to further reduce the incident electron dose.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000873778100001 Publication Date 0000-00-00  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert and Grant 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0346.21N and EOS 30489208) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF).; esteem3reported; esteem3jra Approved Most recent IF: 2.2  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:190925 Serial 7118  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De Backer, A.; Bals, S.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A decade of atom-counting in STEM: From the first results toward reliable 3D atomic models from a single projection Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 113702  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Quantitative structure determination is needed in order to study and understand nanomaterials at the atomic scale. Materials characterisation resulting in precise structural information is a crucial point to understand the structure–property relation of materials. Counting the number of atoms and retrieving the 3D atomic structure of nanoparticles plays an important role here. In this paper, an overview will be given of the atom-counting methodology and its applications over the past decade. The procedure to count the number of atoms will be discussed in detail and it will be shown how the performance of the method can be further improved. Furthermore, advances toward mixed element nanostructures, 3D atomic modelling based on the atom-counting results, and quantifying the nanoparticle dynamics will be highlighted.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000953765800001 Publication Date 2023-02-10  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited 3 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert, Grant 815128 REALNANO to S. Bals, and Grant 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0267.18N, G.0502.18N, G.0346.21N, and EOS 30489208) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF) . The authors also thank the colleagues who have contributed to this work over the years, including T. Altantzis, E. Arslan Irmak, K.J. Batenburg, E. Bladt, A. De wael, R. Erni, C. Faes, B. Goris, L. Jones, L.M. Liz-Marzán, I. Lobato, G.T. Martinez, P.D. Nellist, M.D. Rosell, A. Rosenauer, K.H.W. van den Bos, A. Varambhia, and Z. Zhang.; esteem3reported; esteem3JRA Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2023 IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195896 Serial 7236  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhang, Z.; Lobato, I.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.; Nellist, P. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Fast generation of calculated ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections under channelling conditions Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2023 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 246 Issue Pages 113671  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Advanced materials often consist of multiple elements which are arranged in a complicated structure. Quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy is useful to determine the composition and thickness of nanostructures at the atomic scale. However, significant difficulties remain to quantify mixed columns by comparing the resulting atomic resolution images and spectroscopy data with multislice simulations where dynamic scattering needs to be taken into account. The combination of the computationally intensive nature of these simulations and the enormous amount of possible mixed column configurations for a given composition indeed severely hamper the quantification process. To overcome these challenges, we here report the development of an incoherent non-linear method for the fast prediction of ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections of mixed columns under channelling conditions. We first explain the origin of the ADF and EDX incoherence from scattering physics suggesting a linear dependence between those two signals in the case of a high-angle ADF detector. Taking EDX as a perfect incoherent reference mode, we quantitatively examine the ADF longitudinal incoherence under different microscope conditions using multislice simulations. Based on incoherent imaging, the atomic lensing model previously developed for ADF is now expanded to EDX, which yields ADF-EDX scattering cross-section predictions in good agreement with multislice simulations for mixed columns in a core–shell nanoparticle and a high entropy alloy. The fast and accurate prediction of ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections opens up new opportunities to explore the wide range of ordering possibilities of heterogeneous materials with multiple elements.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Zezhong Zhang Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000995063900001 Publication Date 2022-12-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes European Research Council 770887 PICOMETRICS; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek No.G.0502.18N; Horizon 2020, 770887 ; Horizon 2020 Framework Programme; European Research Council, 823717 ESTEEM3 ; esteem3reported; esteem3JRa Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2023 IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195890 Serial 7251  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Lobato, I.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Real-time simulations of ADF STEM probe position-integrated scattering cross-sections for single element fcc crystals in zone axis orientation using a densely connected neural network Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2023 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 251 Issue Pages 113769  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Quantification of annular dark field (ADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images in terms

of composition or thickness often relies on probe-position integrated scattering cross sections (PPISCS). In

order to compare experimental PPISCS with theoretically predicted ones, expensive simulations are needed for

a given specimen, zone axis orientation, and a variety of microscope settings. The computation time of such

simulations can be in the order of hours using a single GPU card. ADF STEM simulations can be efficiently

parallelized using multiple GPUs, as the calculation of each pixel is independent of other pixels. However, most

research groups do not have the necessary hardware, and, in the best-case scenario, the simulation time will

only be reduced proportionally to the number of GPUs used. In this manuscript, we use a learning approach and

present a densely connected neural network that is able to perform real-time ADF STEM PPISCS predictions as

a function of atomic column thickness for most common face-centered cubic (fcc) crystals (i.e., Al, Cu, Pd, Ag,

Pt, Au and Pb) along [100] and [111] zone axis orientations, root-mean-square displacements, and microscope

parameters. The proposed architecture is parameter efficient and yields accurate predictions for the PPISCS

values for a wide range of input parameters that are commonly used for aberration-corrected transmission

electron microscopes.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001011617200001 Publication Date 2023-06-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access Open_Access  
  Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G034621N and G0A7723N) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF), Belgium. Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2023 IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:197275 Serial 8812  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Şentürk, DG.; Yu, CP.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Atom counting from a combination of two ADF STEM images Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2024 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 255 Issue Pages 113859  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy; Atom counting; Heterogeneous nanostructures; Multivariate Gaussian mixture model; 4D STEM; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;  
  Abstract To understand the structure–property relationship of nanostructures, reliably quantifying parameters, such as the number of atoms along the projection direction, is important. Advanced statistical methodologies have made it possible to count the number of atoms for monotype crystalline nanoparticles from a single ADF STEM image. Recent developments enable one to simultaneously acquire multiple ADF STEM images. Here, we present an extended statistics-based method for atom counting from a combination of multiple statistically independent ADF STEM images reconstructed from non-overlapping annular detector collection regions which improves the accuracy and allows one to retrieve precise atom-counts, especially for images acquired with low electron doses and multiple element structures.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 001089064200001 Publication Date 2023-09-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G034621N, G0A7723N, and EOS 40007495) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF). Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2024 IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:201008 Serial 8964  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Şentürk, D.G.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Element specific atom counting for heterogeneous nanostructures: Combining multiple ADF STEM images for simultaneous thickness and composition determination Type A1 Journal Article
  Year 2024 Publication (up) Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 259 Issue Pages 113941  
  Keywords A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;  
  Abstract In this paper, a methodology is presented to count the number of atoms in heterogeneous nanoparticles based on the combination of multiple annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF STEM) images. The different non-overlapping annular detector collection regions are selected based on the principles of optimal statistical experiment design for the atom-counting problem. To count the number of atoms, the total intensities of scattered electrons for each atomic column, the so-called scattering cross-sections, are simultaneously compared with simulated library values for the different detector regions by minimising the squared differences. The performance of the method is evaluated for simulated Ni@Pt and Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles. Our approach turns out to be a dose efficient alternative for the investigation of beam-sensitive heterogeneous materials as compared to the combination of ADF STEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date 2024-02-19  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links  
  Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0346.21N, GOA7723N, and EOS 40007495) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF). Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2024 IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ Serial 8996  
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