Patent ID: 8203120

Claim:
A four-dimensional electron microscope for imaging a sample, the four-dimensional electron microscope comprising: a stage assembly configured to support the sample; a first laser source capable of emitting a first optical pulse of less than 1 ps in duration; a second laser source capable of emitting a second optical pulse of less than 1 ns in duration; a cathode coupled to the first laser source and the second laser source, the cathode being capable of emitting a first electron pulse less than 1 ps in duration in response to the first optical pulse and a second electron pulse of less than 1 ns in response to the second optical pulse; an electron lens assembly configured to focus the electron pulse onto the sample; a detector configured to capture one or more electrons passing through the sample, the detector providing a data signal associated with the one or more electrons passing through the sample; a processor coupled to the detector, the processor being configured to process the data signal associated with the one or more electrons passing through the sample to output information associated with an image of the sample; and an output device coupled to the processor, the output device being configured to output the information associated with the image of the sample.