Materials Physics Using a Combination of Density‐Functional Theory and Atomic‐Resolution Electron Microscopy

Scanning transmission electron microscopes provide atomic‐resolution images and electron‐energy loss spectra of crystalline systems. Density functional theory is a “theoretical microscope” that provides energetically preferred structures and excitation spectra. This paper gives a summary of several applications that demonstrate the breadth and depth of new results that can be obtained from a synergistic application of the experimental and theoretical methods to a wide range of complex materials systems.