Imaging surface topography using Lloyd's mirror in photoemission electron microscopy.

We use Lloyd's mirror to modulate electron photoemission in photoemission electron microscopy. This results in the projection of Lloyd's fringes on to three-dimensional (3D) surface objects. An iterative reconstruction method is used to correct for distortions in the fringe pattern due to the cathode immersion lens, thereby providing a quantitative interpretation of surface shape. It is therefore possible to extract 3D height information directly from a two-dimensional, plan-view image. The technique is of sufficient intensity and contrast to study real-time changes in surface topography and we apply the method to study unusual contact-line dynamics during the reactive wetting of metal droplets.