CNLD Seminar with Paul Dastoor

The development of microscopic imaging has been
fundamental to scientific advancement since the 16th
century. Indeed, as Freeman Dyson declared, “new
directions in science are launched by new tools much
more often than by new concepts”. A case in point is the
design, development and demonstration of the new field
of neutral atom microscopy (NAM). Following its
inception, over a decade ago, several scanning helium
microscopes (SHeMs) have now been
built around the world. By exploiting helium’s large
scattering cross-section to atomic scale surface features,
built around the world. By exploiting helium’s large scattering cross-section to atomic scale surface features, its
neutral/inert nature and extremely low energy (~60 meV), these exciting new instruments are opening a new window on
science, providing for the first time completely non-damaging imaging using beams of neutral helium atoms. This talk will
describe the development of the SHeM and how its unique properties have enabled new insights across a broad range of
materials including nanostructured thin films, hydrogen adsorption and bacterial biofilm formation. The presentation will
also highlight the importance of international collaboration in the development of this new technology.
1. Barr et al, Nature Communications, 7, 10189, (2016) 2. Myles et al, Scientific Reports, 9, 2148 (2019) 3. Eder et al,
Nature Communications, 14:904, (2023) 4. v. Jeinsen et al, Journal of Microscopy, 301, 107-115, (2026).