Evolution of Electron-Microscopes and the Ultrafast Electron Diffraction with Laser Accelerated Electrons

Abstract

Evolution of advanced electron microscopes is reviewed. Technologies to see not only structure of materials but also information of composition, electronic state, surface structure, and so on have been highly evolved. We are right now on the stage to search their dynamical information. For ultrafast dynamical electron microscopes, ultra-short electron pulse source is crucial. Femtosecond lasers are available to generate short electron pulses. The current state of the research using photocathodes with femtosecond laser is reviewed. The electron pulses generated and accelerated by intense femtosecond lasers are promising for the next-generation sources of intense short pulse electrons. The challenge of the authors at Kyoto University is introduced.