Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS)

DoITPoMS Teaching & Learning Packages Indexing Electron Diffraction Patterns Convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED)
Indexing Electron Diffraction Patterns AimsBefore you startIntroductionMathematics relating the real space to the electron diffraction patternLaue zonesKikuchi linesUsing polycrystalline materials in the TEMConvergent beam electron diffraction (CBED)Using other methods in conjunction with electron diffractionSummaryQuestionsGoing further
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Convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED)

When a convergent beam is used instead of a parallel beam of electrons, the rays converge to a point within the specimen and come out the other side inverted like a camera. However, we do not look at the inverted image; we look at the diffraction pattern, with the spots magnified:

Diagram illustrating convergent beam electron diffraction

Depending on the camera length chosen, either the zero order Laue zone can be examined or the zero order Laue zone and higher order Laue zones. Two examples of CBED images are shown below. The symmetry seen is such patterns can be related to the space group symmetry of the specimen.

Examples of CBED images:

Diffraction pattern showing a zero order Laue zone

Diffraction pattern showing a first order Laue zone

Diffraction pattern showing a zero order Laue zone
with a mirror in the pattern as shown
( from H.H. Hng, Ph.D. thesis, University of Cambridge, 1999. )
(Click on image to view larger version)

Diffraction pattern showing a first order Laue zone
from H.H. Hng, Ph.D. thesis, University of Cambridge, 1999. )
(Click on image to view larger version)
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