In-situ TEM atomic scale diffusion between two quantum dots at high temperatures

The movie on the left shows atomic scale diffusion of atoms between two quantum dots heated to 650°C in-situ in the TEM using Hummingbird Scientific’s MEMS heating + biasing TEM sample holder. Atomic diffusion appears to occur mostly through the bridge between the two particles and continues until the two particles coalesce to form one larger particle.

Data provided by Pawan Kumar, Deep Jariwala and Eric Stach from the University of Pennsylvania.