How image processing can push electron microscopy to its limits

The factors limiting the resolution in high resolution electron microscopy are discussed. It is shown that electron microscopy is approaching its physical limits which are not limited anymore by the instrument but rather by the object. The problem however is how to extract the information from the images so as to fully exploit the resolution capabilities. Since the visualisation of individual atoms becomes possible, we can reconsider the concept of resolution in terms of information theory. New promising developments towards direct retrieval of the object information by processing of the electron images are discussed. These include solutions to the phase problem as well as inversion of the dynamical diffraction in the object. Finally, results are shown, which demonstrate the potential of this approach