Techniques of convergent beam electron diffraction

The techniques required to record standard convergent beam electron diffraction patterns in an analytical electron microscope are discussed in detail, with emphasis on the design of electron optics in commercial instruments. Practical comments are included on specimen preparation, the influence of crystal defects, tilting to major zone axes, and alignment of the instrument. The influence of parameters under experimental control such as probe size, accelerating voltage, temperature, specimen thickness, and convergence angle is discussed in detail. Some comments are included on the alignment and limitations of large angle patterns formed by a defocused probe.