On the characterisation of order-disorder in ion-irradiated pyrochlore compounds by electron scattering methods

Abstract

Selected area electron diffraction patterns are routinely used to determine the effects of radiation damage in nuclear materials. Using zone axis orientations, the intensities of Bragg beams change from a dynamical to kinematic-like state due to the presence of amorphous domains in the material. Such changes in beam intensities, together with the increased diffuse scattering from the increasing amorphous fraction, present a major obstacle to the determination of cation or anion disorder in the crystalline fraction. © Materials Research Society 2009