Summary: Scanning helium microscopes (SHeM) have been developed over the last four decades, using low-energy helium atoms to image surfaces that are difficult to image with traditional electron and ion microscopy techniques. Various technologies, such as focusing atoms using crystals and diffraction from zone plates, have been used to achieve high spatial resolution. A new method of magnetically manipulating the magnetic moment of neutral particles has been proposed to encode spatial positions, allowing for faster and more efficient imaging. The experimental setup involves magnetic fields and spin analysers to measure the magnetic moments of particles and reconstruct beam profiles, showing promising results for future neutral beam microscopy.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51175-2