Electron Diffraction Tomography and Dynamical Refinement for Crystal-Structure Characterization of Nanocrystalline Materials

Abstract

Three-dimensional electron diraction tomography allows one to obtain structure information from nanocrystals. However, in order to get accurate results the dynamical theory must be used due to the strong dynamical interaction between electrons and matter. Full structure renement using dynamical theory has been in use for some time, in spite of being hampered by the fact that the intensities are very sensitive to variations of thickness and of the orientation of the sample. A remedy to this problem is the technique called precession electron diraction. The use of precession electron diraction in combination with electron diraction tomography results in more accurate structure parameters and lower gures of merit in the structure renement. The principles of electron diraction tomography, precession electron diraction and dynamical renement will be demonstrated on the structural analysis of a nanowire of Ni3Si2.