Scanning transmission electron microscopy for advanced characterization of ferroic materials

Scanning Transmission electron microscopy (STEM) technologies have undergone significant advancements in the last two decades. Advancements in aberration-correction technology, ultra-high energy resolution monochromators, and state-of-the-art detectors/cameras have established STEM as an essential tool for investigating material chemistry and structure from the micro to the atomic scale. This characterization technique has been invaluable for understanding and characterizing the origins of ferroic material properties in next-generation advanced materials. Many unique properties of engineering materials, such as ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, and ferromagnetism, are intricately linked to their atomic-scale composition and structure. STEM enables direct observation of these structural characteristics, establishing a link with macroscopic properties. In this perspective, we provide an overview of the application of advanced STEM techniques in investigating the origin of ferroic material properties, along with discussions on potential opportunities for further utilization of STEM techniques.