Overview
This is a research program in our laboratory on a nanostructured electron source and its applications, notably a low-cost, compact, and flexible electron microscope. The goal is to democratize electron microscopy and, more broadly, electron beam technologies.
The electron source works based on light-induced heat localization and thermionic emission from carbon nanotube arrays. A review of this source and its basic properties is presented in this paper: https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2017.139 An electron microscope built based on this source is presented in this paper: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63413-2 While the technology is patented, we are making the detailed design files for this electron microscope freely available for non-commercial use. To obtain the non-commercial use license in order to receive the design files, click here. (This will take you to the UBC Flintbox page that handles the license.)
Electron microscope
The instrument uses off-the-shelf components and hobby-level construction and electronics, costing a total of a few thousand dollars (not including the vacuum pump). The idea is to make it possible for others to build their own instruments in formats that fit their needs.
Heat Trap electron source
What makes this electron microscope possible and practical is a thermionic electron source based on the Heat Trap effect in arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes (CNT forests), discovered in our laboratory (https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2017.139). This source enables multiple simplifications in electron microscope design because
– it can be excited by a simple thumb-size laser;
– its small, optically-controlled emission spot allows for a simplified beam column;
– it does not need thermal management or power electronics, and can be easily floated at any potential;
– it can tolerate poor vacuum and has a long lifetime.