Application of Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy for Analysis of the Microstructure of Reactor Materials

It is shown by the example of hydrogen (in hydrides ZrH), helium (in pores after implantation), and nickel (in G-phase precipitates) that the application of electron energy-loss spectroscopy within the scanning transmission electron microscopy method makes it possible to analyze the distribution of different chemical elements in the microstructure of reactor materials. The advantages of electron energy-loss spectroscopy (in comparison with energy-dispersive spectroscopy) for studying irradiated materials and important experimental conditions of the formation of energy loss spectra are discussed.