Direct imaging of Guinier-Preston zones by high-angle annular detector dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy

J Electron Microsc (Tokyo). 2001;50(2):105-11. doi: 10.1093/jmicro/50.2.105.

Abstract

We report atomic resolution imaging of Cu-planar precipitates in aged Al-Cu alloys, known as Guinier-Preston (GP) zones, by high-angle annular detector dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. Single layered GP-I zones as small as 2 nm in length were resolved among densely populated GP-I zones, whereas double layered GP zones were clearly identified. The images of GP-II zones showed not only the commonly accepted structure, in which single Cu layers are separated by three Al layers, but also a variant, in which double Cu layers are separated by a single Al layer.

Publication types

  • Letter