HVEM Study on the Non-Equilibrium Solid Phases Produced by MeV Electron Irradiation

Abstract

This review is concerned with high voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) studies on the non-equilibrium solid phases produced by MeV electron irradiation. In such studies, one can combine the strong points of electron irradiation that the primary defects are simple in their configuration and distribution, with the advantage of electron microscopy that in situ, direct observations make it possible to analyze both the morphology and structure of the phases produced. Making full use of this merit, HVEM studies to clarify the conditions in which non-equilibrium solid phases can successfully be produced under MeV electron irradiation have been carried out. Results on such subjects as electron-irradiation-induced crystalline-toamorphous transition in crystals, electron-irradiation-induced phase decomposition and electron-irradiation-induced foreign-atom implantation, are reviewed