“In-Situ” TEM Studies and “Real-Time” Digital Imaging

Abstract

“In-situ” TEM studies is currently going through resurgence for materials microcharacterization. One important aspect of these studies has always been the image recording process. Traditionally, the following analog image recording techniques have been used: i) “static” images taken by photographic films and ii) viewing the images with a TV camera and recording them onto a videotape [1]. On the other hand, with the advent of CCD cameras and its rapid evolution for digital “static” imaging in TEM [2-3], “real-time” digital imaging for “in-situ” experimentation has been in high demand. In this work, we report the utilization of a new CCD camera for both “real-time” and “static” image acquisitions. The performance of the camera is shown for heating/cooling “in-situ” TEM experiments performed on an aluminum alloy using a double tilt hot stage.We have utilized a newly designed CCD camera that addresses imaging needs for “in-situ” applications.