Coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopy

Abstract We investigate coherent diffraction patterns from an amorphous SiO $$_2$$ 2 across a range of electron counting regimes, from sparse single-event detection to cumulative high-flux exposures. Low electron count rates, with a mean of approximately 0.017 electrons per pixel, reveal discrete el...

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Main Authors: Joohyun Lee, Ji-Hwan Kwon, Sooheyong Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Analytical Science and Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40543-025-00503-2
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author Joohyun Lee
Ji-Hwan Kwon
Sooheyong Lee
author_facet Joohyun Lee
Ji-Hwan Kwon
Sooheyong Lee
author_sort Joohyun Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract We investigate coherent diffraction patterns from an amorphous SiO $$_2$$ 2 across a range of electron counting regimes, from sparse single-event detection to cumulative high-flux exposures. Low electron count rates, with a mean of approximately 0.017 electrons per pixel, reveal discrete electron events dominated by shot noise. In contrast, cumulative patterns acquired over 60 s exhibit pronounced speckle features reflecting atomic arrangements in the material. The count contrast $$C_k$$ C k as a function of mean electron count $$\overline{K}$$ K ¯ transitions from a Poisson-dominated $$1/\sqrt{ \overline{K} }$$ 1 / K ¯ trend at low $$\overline{K}$$ K ¯ to a stabilized $$C_k = 0.23$$ C k = 0.23 beyond $$\overline{K} = 10$$ K ¯ = 10 , of which behavior is modeled effectively with a spatial degree of freedom $$M = 32$$ M = 32 . This M value indicates partially coherent illumination, deviating from single-mode expectations of the electron beam. Our finding bridges a gap between statistical optics and applied TEM and introduces a framework with direct practical relevance for modern detector technologies.
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spelling doaj-art-5f9f0f4b76c04265b00560664fe06d502025-08-20T04:02:57ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Analytical Science and Technology2093-33712025-07-011611910.1186/s40543-025-00503-2Coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopyJoohyun Lee0Ji-Hwan Kwon1Sooheyong Lee2Korea Research Institute of Standards and ScienceKorea Research Institute of Standards and ScienceKorea Research Institute of Standards and ScienceAbstract We investigate coherent diffraction patterns from an amorphous SiO $$_2$$ 2 across a range of electron counting regimes, from sparse single-event detection to cumulative high-flux exposures. Low electron count rates, with a mean of approximately 0.017 electrons per pixel, reveal discrete electron events dominated by shot noise. In contrast, cumulative patterns acquired over 60 s exhibit pronounced speckle features reflecting atomic arrangements in the material. The count contrast $$C_k$$ C k as a function of mean electron count $$\overline{K}$$ K ¯ transitions from a Poisson-dominated $$1/\sqrt{ \overline{K} }$$ 1 / K ¯ trend at low $$\overline{K}$$ K ¯ to a stabilized $$C_k = 0.23$$ C k = 0.23 beyond $$\overline{K} = 10$$ K ¯ = 10 , of which behavior is modeled effectively with a spatial degree of freedom $$M = 32$$ M = 32 . This M value indicates partially coherent illumination, deviating from single-mode expectations of the electron beam. Our finding bridges a gap between statistical optics and applied TEM and introduces a framework with direct practical relevance for modern detector technologies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40543-025-00503-2Transmission electron microscopeSpeckleCoherent diffractionLow dose
spellingShingle Joohyun Lee
Ji-Hwan Kwon
Sooheyong Lee
Coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopy
Journal of Analytical Science and Technology
Transmission electron microscope
Speckle
Coherent diffraction
Low dose
title Coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopy
title_full Coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopy
title_fullStr Coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopy
title_full_unstemmed Coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopy
title_short Coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopy
title_sort coherence and statistical insights for low electron count regimes in transmission electron microscopy
topic Transmission electron microscope
Speckle
Coherent diffraction
Low dose
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40543-025-00503-2
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AT jihwankwon coherenceandstatisticalinsightsforlowelectroncountregimesintransmissionelectronmicroscopy
AT sooheyonglee coherenceandstatisticalinsightsforlowelectroncountregimesintransmissionelectronmicroscopy