  We report on the development of an ultrafast Transmission Electron Microscope
based on a laser-driven cold-field emission source. We first describe the
instrument before reporting on numerical simulations of the laser-driven
electron emission. These simulations predict the temporal and spectral
properties of the femtosecond electron pulses generated in our ultrafast
electron source. We then discuss the effects that contribute to the spatial,
temporal and spectral broadening of these electron pulses during their
propagation from the electron source to the sample and finally to the detectors
of the electron microscope. The spectro-temporal properties are then
characterized in an electron/photon cross-correlation experiment based on the
detection of electron energy gains. We finally illustrate the potential of this
instrument for ultrafast electron holography and ultrafast electron
diffraction.
