Local crystal anisotropy obtained in the small probe geometry

A brief review of the scattering mechanisms of spatially resolved EELS is given. This discussion shows that the sensitivity of EELS to scattering angle and to the symmetry or parity of a specimen excitation is closely related to spatial resolution. In the past, large probe, angle resolved experiments have been used to show that EELS can be used to obtain specimen anisotropy. It is pointed out here that under certain conditions, a small probe experiment can also be used for this purpose. This suggestion is illustrated with an analysis of EXELFS scattering in graphite in the small probe geometry.