74. Photoelectron Holography

Optical holograms are widely used in our daily life. Three-dimensional structural information is recorded in an optical hologram based on the wave nature of light, and we can see the 3D image on the hologram. Similarly, 3D atomic arrangements can be recorded using the electron wave. When an atom is excited with an X-ray, a photoelectron is emitted. The photoelectron from a localized core level is an excellent element-specific probe for the analysis of atomic structure. Information on the photoelectron-emitting atom and the surrounding atomic configuration is recorded as a photoelectron hologram in the photoelectron intensity angular distribution (Szöke et al. in AIP Conf Proc 147, 361–367 1986 [1]). Photoelectron holography is a technique for deriving real-space atomic structures from photoelectron diffraction.