Atomic imaging and spectroscopy of low-dimensional materials with interrupted periodicities

Identification of individual atoms and examination of their electronic properties in materials are the ultimate goal of all microscopy-based analytical techniques. Here, we demonstrate successful single-atom imaging and spectroscopy in low-dimensional materials using (scanning) transmission electron microscopy together with electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Edges and point defects in single-layered materials such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride and WS₂ nanoribbons are investigated by annular dark-field imaging and EELS fine-structure analysis. Individual dopant atoms are unambiguously identified in nano-peapods. It is noteworthy that irradiation damage and specimen contamination even at the single-atom level are crucial issues in these experiments.