2020/07/15 by Thomas Danz, Till Domröse, Claus Ropers · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.mtrl-sci #cond-mat.mes-hall #cond-mat.str-el
paper · pdf · doi:10.1126/science.abd2774
published as Science 371, 371-374 (2021) · Main text, supplementary materials, and five movies
arxiv created 2020/07/15 · arxiv updated 2021/01/25
Understanding microscopic processes in materials and devices that can be switched by light requires experimental access to dynamics on nanometer length and femtosecond time scales. Here, we introduce ultrafast dark-field electron microscopy, tailored to map the order parameter across a structural phase transition. We track the evolution of charge-density wave domains in 1T-TaS2 after ultrashort laser excitation, elucidating relaxation pathways and domain wall dynamics. The unique benefits of selective contrast enhancement will inspire future beam shaping technology in ultrafast transmission electron microscopy.