RAPID: an ImageJ macro for indexing electron diffraction zone axis spot patterns of cubic materials.

Abstract

As an extension to previous work, the ImageJ macro script RAPID (ratio-method pattern indexing) has been developed to allow instant indexing of calibrated and uncalibrated zone axis aligned electron diffraction patterns of cubic lattices using the R_n ratio principle. The program can be used to index zone axis aligned selected-area electron diffraction patterns, nanobeam electron diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) Kikuchi patterns and even fast Fourier transforms of high-resolution (scanning) TEM images. The program allows the user to quickly assess whether the material under investigation belongs to the cubic crystal system, is pseudo-cubic or is not cubic at all by adjusting the boundary parameters and allowed errors for lattice indexing. The software also allows one to distinguish between the P, I and F Bravais lattices for certain zone axis directions. For calibrated diffraction patterns, the lattice parameters can be obtained, allowing verification of the material under investigation or phase identification in connection with a structural database. In addition, the program can be employed for determination or verification of the used instrument's camera constant when reference materials are used. Therefore, it is a convenient tool for on-site crystallographic analysis in TEM laboratories.