Quantitative in situ hot-stage high-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy

In situ hot-stage high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) provides unique capabilities for quantifying the dynamics of interfaces at the atomic level. Such information complements detailed static observations and calculations of interfacial structure, and is essential for understanding interface theory and solid-state phase transformations. This paper provides a brief description of particular requirements for performing in situ hot-stage HRTEM and illustrates the use of this technique to obtain quantitative data on the atomic mechanisms and kinetics of interface motion during precipitation of {111} θ phase in an Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy.The specimen and microscope requirements for in situ hot-stage HRTEM are not much different from those of static HRTEM, except that one must have a heating holder and equipment for recording and analyzing dynamic images. At present, most HRTEMs are equipped with a TV-rate camera, possibly combined with a charge-coupled device camera. An inexpensive way to record in situ HRTEM images is to send the output from the TV-rate camera directly into a standard VHS format videocassette recorder (VCR).