Chapter 11
Electron Tomography
P. Torruella, J. Blanco-Portals, Ll. Yedra, L. López-Conesa, J. M. Rebled,
F. Peiró, and S. Estradé
Abstract The recent advances in TEM instrumentation with faster and more sensitive detectors, and the ever-increasing number of advanced algorithms capable of
achieving quality 3D reconstructions with fewer acquired projections, are transforming electron tomography in one of the most versatile tools for a materials scientist, as the possible field of application for this technique is open to virtually any
nanoscaled material. The complete three-dimensional characterization of magnetic
nanoparticles is not an exception. Not only the 3D morphology is resolved, but also
the elemental composition in 3D, by combining the available reconstruction algorithms and TEM spectral characterization techniques, seeking to retrieve the so-called
spectrum volume. Among them, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) stands
out, given its unchallenged lateral resolution and its unique ability to resolve variations of the oxidation states, and even atomic coordination, through the analysis of the
fine structure of the elemental edges in the acquired spectra. This chapter is a revision
P. Torruella (B) · J. Blanco-Portals · Ll. Yedra · L. López-Conesa · J. M. Rebled · F. Peiró ·
S. Estradé
LENS-MIND, Electronics and Biomedical Engineering Department, Universitat de Barcelona,
Barcelona, Spain
e-mail: ptorruella@el.ub.edu
J. Blanco-Portals
e-mail: jblanco@ub.edu
Ll. Yedra
e-mail: lluis.yedra@ub.edu
L. López-Conesa
e-mail: llopez@el.ub.edu
J. M. Rebled
e-mail: jmrebled@el.ub.es
F. Peiró
e-mail: francesca.peiro@ub.edu
S. Estradé
e-mail: sestrade@ub.edu
Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
D. Peddis et al. (eds.), New Trends in Nanoparticle Magnetism,
Springer Series in Materials Science 308,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60473-8_11
257
Electron Tomography
P. Torruella, J. Blanco-Portals, Ll. Yedra, L. López-Conesa, J. M. Rebled,
F. Peiró, and S. Estradé
Abstract The recent advances in TEM instrumentation with faster and more sensitive detectors, and the ever-increasing number of advanced algorithms capable of
achieving quality 3D reconstructions with fewer acquired projections, are transforming electron tomography in one of the most versatile tools for a materials scientist, as the possible field of application for this technique is open to virtually any
nanoscaled material. The complete three-dimensional characterization of magnetic
nanoparticles is not an exception. Not only the 3D morphology is resolved, but also
the elemental composition in 3D, by combining the available reconstruction algorithms and TEM spectral characterization techniques, seeking to retrieve the so-called
spectrum volume. Among them, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) stands
out, given its unchallenged lateral resolution and its unique ability to resolve variations of the oxidation states, and even atomic coordination, through the analysis of the
fine structure of the elemental edges in the acquired spectra. This chapter is a revision
P. Torruella (B) · J. Blanco-Portals · Ll. Yedra · L. López-Conesa · J. M. Rebled · F. Peiró ·
S. Estradé
LENS-MIND, Electronics and Biomedical Engineering Department, Universitat de Barcelona,
Barcelona, Spain
e-mail: ptorruella@el.ub.edu
J. Blanco-Portals
e-mail: jblanco@ub.edu
Ll. Yedra
e-mail: lluis.yedra@ub.edu
L. López-Conesa
e-mail: llopez@el.ub.edu
J. M. Rebled
e-mail: jmrebled@el.ub.es
F. Peiró
e-mail: francesca.peiro@ub.edu
S. Estradé
e-mail: sestrade@ub.edu
Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
D. Peddis et al. (eds.), New Trends in Nanoparticle Magnetism,
Springer Series in Materials Science 308,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60473-8_11
257