Understanding Interphase Boundary Dynamics by In Situ High-Resolution and Energy-Filtering Transmission Electron Microscopy and Real-Time Image Simulation

This study discusses the use of in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscropy (HRTEM) techniques to determine the structure, composition, and interphase boundary dynamics during phase transformations at the atomic level. Three main in situ HRTEM techniques are described: (1) in situ HRTEM dynamic studies that are performed on the same precipitate plates from different viewing directions to determine the three-dimensional structure of the interfaces; (2) in situ compositional mapping of precipitate interfaces obtained by energy-filtering TEM experiments at temperature in a HRTEM, and (3) real-time HRTEM image simulations that are being created for comparison with and interpretation of experimental in situ HRTEM dynamic observations. The results from these studies demonstrate that it is possible to understand the mechanisms and kinetics of interphase boundary motion at the atomic level.