Title: SPEQTEM: A State-of-the-Art Electron Microscope Inaugurates a New Era of Quantum Microscopy at CNR Nano
Date: 24 January 2025
Location: Physics Building, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore), Modena
The inauguration of the new Spectroscopic Quantum Transmission Electron Microscope (SPEQTEM) was held on 24 January 2025 at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore). Hosted by CNR Nano in collaboration with Unimore and Thermo Fisher Scientific, the event brought together institutional representatives, scientists, and industry stakeholders to celebrate the launch of one of Europe’s most advanced electron microscopy facilities.
The event also included a scientific symposium highlighting current developments in quantum electron microscopy. The symposium featured a strong international lineup of invited speakers, including Rafal Dunin-Borkowski (Forschungszentrum Jülich), Ebrahim Karimi (University of Ottawa), Eva Olsson (Chalmers University), Peter Tiemeijer (Thermo Fisher Scientific), Marco Beleggia (Unimore), Vincenzo Grillo (CNR Nano), and Ido Kaminer (Technion). Notably, two of the invited speakers—Grillo and Kaminer—are leading contributors to the SMART-electron project, which was prominently featured during the symposium. Their presentations highlighted key outcomes of SMART-electron’s work on programmable phase masks and quantum control in electron optics, drawing connections between project results and the capabilities of the new SPEQTEM infrastructure.
The event attracted broad attention and was covered by regional television news, underscoring its relevance both within the scientific community and for the wider public. In addition to the in-person audience, the symposium was also broadcast via Zoom, enabling participation from a broader international audience.
SPEQTEM, installed within the Department of Physics, Informatics, and Mathematics (FIM) at Unimore, is a key component of the iENTRANCE research infrastructure and is designed to support high-resolution studies of materials for energy and quantum technologies. The microscope’s advanced capabilities—such as energy-filtered imaging and monochromated spectroscopy—position it as a strategic asset for both fundamental research and industrial innovation.
By showcasing contributions from SMART-electron and fostering dialogue among leading researchers in the field, the SPEQTEM symposium reflected the ongoing impact of European research efforts in shaping the future of quantum electron microscopy.
