Large-angle convergent-beam electron-diffraction study of coherent precipitates and decorated dislocations

Conventional methods of convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED) use a fully converged probe focused on the specimen in the object plane resulting in the formation of a CBED pattern in the diffraction plane. Large angle CBED (LACBED) uses a converged but defocused probe resulting in the formation of ‘shadow images’ of the illuminated sample area in the diffraction plane. Hence, low-spatial resolution image information and high-angular resolution diffraction information are superimposed in LACBED patterns which enables the simultaneous observation of crystal defects and their effect on the diffraction pattern. In recent years LACBED has been used successfully for the investigation of a variety of crystal defects, such as stacking faults, interfaces and dislocations. In this paper the contrast from coherent precipitates and decorated dislocations in LACBED patterns has been investigated. Computer simulated LACBED contrast from decorated dislocations and coherent precipitates is compared with experimental observations.