High-resolution electron microscopy of surfaces: Profile views and front views

High resolution electron microscopy images of crystals are obtained by making some beams, diffracted by the crystal, interfere with the transmitted beam. For some experimental conditions, to be carefully defined for each specimen, the image can be shown to represent atomic columns; thus information in the atomic range is obtained, though it must be stressed that interpretation of these structure images must be done carefully as artefacts can give effects not linked with the crystal structure. In the last 3 years, this technique has been applied to the study of surfaces where it has given some striking results.