Microstructure observation using MeV-electron-irradiation-induced amorphization

MeV electron irradiation can stimulate solid-state amorphization in some intermetallic compounds. The irradiation induced amorphization phenomenon facilitates a clearer observation of the composite microstructure of the compounds. MeV electron irradiation is applied to a composite structure containing intermetallic compound “A,” which undergoes solid-state amorphization and crystalline phase “B,” which does not undergo amorphization. The composite structure transforms into a mixture of amorphous and crystalline phases by the irradiation. The distribution of A and B in the structure can hence be easily determined. High-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) offers a unique microstructure observation technique that uses the difference between the sensitivities of compounds to undergo solid-state amorphization when MeV electron irradiation is applied to them.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Electron-irradiation-induced solid-state amorphization (SSA) by High voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) is useful for the fundamental research onthe SSA mechanismand also for the evaluation of crystalline material microstructure. ▶ HVEMoffers a unique microstructure observation technique that uses the difference between the sensitivities of compounds to undergo solid-state amorphization when MeV electron irradiation is applied to them. ▶ In this paper, we report on the concept and demonstration of microstructure observation by using MeV-electron-irradiation-induced amorphization.