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Light-Based Electron Microscope (LightEM)
- Acronym: LightEM
- Project Type: ERC CZ
- Project Coordinator:
- Grant Provider/Investor: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports
- Project Code: LL2506
- Implementation Period: 1.1.2026 — 31.12.2030
- Budget: 36 788 806 CZK
Project Description:
Although electron microscopes are currently indispensable instruments enabling the investigation of structural and functional properties of matter down to the level of individual atoms, they still suffer from a number of drawbacks and limitations. Achieving high spatial, energy, and temporal resolution in state-of-the-art electron microscopes requires highly complex and expensive instrumental solutions. Moreover, high-energy electron beams are often highly damaging, particularly when examining sensitive biological samples.
Within this project, I will therefore focus on the design of a conceptually new electron optics and instrumentation based on electron–light interactions, which could overcome some of the long-standing challenges and limitations in electron microscopy. Specifically, light-based electron optics could improve control of electron beams in both space and time, enabling higher resolution with simpler instrumentation, reducing damage to sensitive samples, and enabling previously unattainable imaging and spectroscopic modes.
Principal Investigator:
