Hello,
I have some SAED patterns taken from ZrN/Cu coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering. When there is a preferred orientation in the microstructure, the corresponding ring is not continuous. By increasing Cu content, XRD patterns show that the texture deteriorates and the diffraction rings get totally continuous. How can I justify this? I mean, what is the reason for this observation?
My other question is about the width of the diffraction rings. Does it tell us anything?
If anybody could recommend a good paper or textbook explaining my question, I would appreciate it.
Continious rings on SAED means the polycrystallinity of your sample. It means that several monocrystalline disarrangemented particles are in the same place where the electron beam passed. When you have only the spots on your SAED = monocrystalline particle is in the area of electron beam. the distance between circles (in the case of continious circles) or between spots corresponds to interplanar space in your crystal structure. That is XRD method you can read about it. You need the standard for SAED (usually used gold sample) to calculate the interplanar space on your SAED correctly. In the case of two crystalline structures in one sample you need pristine samples with Cu and ZrN only to know the position of SEAD reflexes. In any case, the continious circles in SAED with increase of Cu content means that your samples moved to polycrystalline structure (more irregular).
Dear Sahand,
In general, when SAED pattern consists of spots, the electron beam comes from a single crystal area and each spot corresponds to a specific plane, while a ring type pattern indicates a significant distortion in the crystalline structure such as defects created during deformation (or deposition in this case). However, it would still be possible to identify the crystallographic planes in a ring type pattern.
Regarding the texture, it should be noted that SAED patterns are collected from a very small zone, while XRD patterns come from a large area indicating the macrotexture. So, the effect of Cu on both SAED and XRD patterns should be discussed.
Saeed Sadeghpour Ekaterina Zolotukhina thank you very much for the illuminating answers.
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