eCHORD orientation mapping of bio-inspired alumina down to 1 kV

Orientation mapping using Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) is limited in its spatial resolution by the acceleration voltage, usually higher than 5 kV. In the present work, we present for the first time an orientation mapping at 1 kV obtained by the eCHORD approach (electron CHanneling ORientation Determination) on a lamellar bio-inspired alumina sample. Texture results extracted from the 1 kV eCHORD mapping are in very good agreement with texture measurements obtained by EBSD at 15 kV on the same sample. Potential issues associated to such a low accelerating voltage for eCHORD measurements are discussed.

Automated summary

This study successfully demonstrated orientation mapping at an accelerating voltage lower than 5 kV for the first time, and confirmed that the 1 kV eCHORD method showed good agreement with the 15 kV EBSD method in texture measurements of the sample. Potential issues associated with using such a low accelerating voltage for eCHORD measurements were also discussed.