Systematic zone-Axis orientation of NM-scale particles for microdiffraction

Abstract

A VG HB501 FEG STEM has been modified to provide track whilst tilt [TWIT] facilities for controllably tilting selected and initially randomly aligned nanometer-sized particles into the high symmetry zone-axis orientations required for microdiffraction, lattice imaging and chemical microanalysis at the unit cell level. New electronics display in alternate TV fields and effectively in parallel on split [+VTR] or adjacent externally synchronized screens, the micro-diffraction pattern from a selected area down to <1nm2 in size, together with the bright field and high angle annular dark field [HADF] STEM images of a much wider [˜1μm] area centered on the same spot. The new system makes it possible to tilt each selected and initially randomly aligned small particle into a zone axis orientation for microdiffraction, or away from it to minimize orientation effects in chemical microanalysis. Tracking of the inevitable specimen movement with tilt is controlled by the operator, with realtime [60Hz] update of the target designation in real space and the diffraction data in reciprocal space. The spot mode micro-DP and images of the surrounding area are displayed continuously. The regular motorized goniometer stage for the HB501STEM is a top entry design but the new control facilities are almost equivalent to having a stage which is eucentric with nanometric precision about both tilt axes.