Aberrationcorrected

aberrationcorrected is a term used to describe optical or electron-optical systems in which aberrations that degrade image quality have been corrected by dedicated hardware or computational methods. Aberrations include spherical aberration, chromatic aberration, coma, astigmatism, and field curvature. Correction is achieved with aberration correctors, such as multipole lenses or adaptive optics, which counteract phase or ray-path errors. In electron microscopy, aberration correction typically targets spherical aberration (C_s) to restore high-resolution imaging; modern aberration-corrected TEM and STEM can achieve sub-angstrom resolution, enabling direct imaging of lattice structures and individual atoms. The use of correctors in TEM/STEM often involves a three- or four-pole scheme supplemented by precise alignment and energy filtering; some systems also correct chromatic aberration and astigmatism.

In light or optical microscopy, aberration correction may involve aspheric objectives, immersion media, and adaptive optics to compensate for lens imperfections, refractive index mismatches, or sample-induced aberrations. Such corrections extend the useful field of view and permit higher-contrast imaging in thick specimens.

The development of aberration correction has expanded capabilities across fields such as materials science, nanotechnology, semiconductor analysis, and biology, albeit requiring stable instrumentation, careful calibration, and often high-quality samples. Limitations remain, including residual aberrations at high magnification, sensitivity to drift, and increased system complexity and cost.