Wave field reconstruction and phase imaging by electron diffractive imaging

In electron diffractive imaging, the phase image of a sample is reconstructed from its diffraction intensity through iterative calculations. The principle of this method is based on the Fourier transform relation between the real-space wave field transmitted by the sample and its Fraunhofer diffraction wave field. Since Gerchberg’s experimental work in 1972, various advancements have been achieved, which have substantially improved the quality of the reconstructed phase images and extended the applicable range of the method. In this review article, the principle of diffractive imaging, various experimental processes using electron beams and application to specific samples are explained in detail.