Effects of residual aberrations explored on single-walled carbon nanotubes

The effects of geometric residual aberrations such as coma B2 and two-fold astigmatism A1 on the contrast in aberration corrected high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images are investigated on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT). The individual aberrations are adjusted and set up manually using an imaging CS-corrector. We demonstrate how coma B2 can be recognized by an experienced user directly in the image and how it blurs the contrast. Even with uncorrected (resolution limiting) spherical aberration CS the coma B2 has to be considered and must be minimized. Limits for a tolerable coma are given. The experiments are confirmed by image simulations. & 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.