Prospects for 3D imaging of dopant atoms in ceramic interfaces

Expanding upon recent experimental results for a Y-doped Sigma13 alpha-Al(2)O(3) grain boundary, we explore through simulation the extent to which plan-view imaging of buried interfaces may be possible (cf. the more usual cross-section imaging). As we show in detail, that case was significantly aided by the normal to the interface plane being a high-order zone axis orientation, giving the visibility of the Y atoms a remarkable insensitivity to the specimen thickness and the depth of the interface plane. The visibility along lower order zone axis orientations and the visibility of different dopant species are discussed.