Single-shot electron diffraction using a cold atom electron source

Cold atom electron sources (CAESs) are a promising alternative to traditional photocathode sources for use in ultrafast electron diffraction due to greatly reduced electron temperature at creation, and the potential for a corresponding increase in brightness. Here we demonstrate single-shot, nanosecond electron diffraction from monocrystalline gold using cold electron bunches generated in a CAES. The diffraction patterns have sufficient signal to allow registration of multiple single-shot images, generating an averaged image with significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio than obtained with unregistered averaging. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction was also demonstrated, showing that CAESs may be useful in resolving nanosecond dynamics of nanometre scale near-surface structures.