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  • Featured in Physics
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Bragg Coherent Modulation Imaging of Highly Strained Nanocrystals

Jiangtao Zhao*

Ewen Bellec and Marie-Ingrid Richard

Linus Pithan and Ivan A. Vartanyants

Fucai Zhang

Tobias Schülli† and Steven J. Leake‡

  • ESRF, The European Synchrotron, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France

  • ESRF, The European Synchrotron, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France and CEA, IRIG-MEM, Nanostructures and Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, 38000 Grenoble, France

  • ESRF, The European Synchrotron, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France

  • *Contact author: jiangtao.zhao@esrf.fr
  • †Contact author: tobias.schulli@esrf.fr
  • ‡Contact author: steven.leake@esrf.fr
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 256101 – Published 18 December, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/8vrs-hjqm

Abstract

Bragg coherent diffraction imaging struggles to phase data from nanocrystals exhibiting large strain inhomogeneities, which significantly limits its applicability across many scientific scenarios. Here, we demonstrate the experimental realization of Bragg coherent modulation imaging, an approach that incorporates wavefront modulation into the diffracted beam, enabling unambiguous structure recovery and resolving highly strained crystals. This method provides a more robust tool for three-dimensional lattice strain measurements in nanocrystals.

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Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

synopsis

Measuring Large Strains in a Nanocrystal

Published 18 December, 2025

Researchers have demonstrated a technique for measuring lattice distortions that are too big for conventional methods to handle.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 256101– Published 18 December, 2025
  • Received 5 March 2025
  • Revised 6 October 2025
  • Accepted 27 October 2025
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