The principal emphasis in materials science is to understand and control the processing-structure-properties relationships in materials. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to quantitatively characterize the composition, crystal structure, interfacial structure, defect structure and morphology of the component phases at the highest levels of resolution. In this proposal, funds are requested for the purchase of a JEOL 4000EX atomic-resolution transmission electron microscope and a Gatan Model 622 video system and recorder. The Jeol 4000EX microscope has a point-to-point resolution of - 0.19 nm and will permit direct imaging of the atomic structures of defects and interfaces in most materials, whereas the Gatan video system will allow rapid correction of microscope aberrations and recording of dynamic events. Carnegie-Mellon University currently has a number of multi- disciplinary comprehensive materials research programs, such as a University Research Initiative in high-temperature composites, an International Business Machines Center for thin-film sciences, and a NSF Materials Research Group in magnetic materials. In all of these, as well as in many individual investigator programs, characterization of internal defects, phase transformations and interfacial structures and compositions at the atomic level is essential for understanding material behavior. Having an atomic-resolution microscope will considerably strengthen our ability to establish fundamental interrelations among the processing-structure-properties in electron optics facility at Carnegie-Mellon University as well as at other materials facilities in the Pittsburgh area, none of which has a high-resolution microscope. Carnegie-Mellon University has both faculty and staff with sufficient expertise in conventional and atomic-resolution microscopy techniques to ensure that the atomic-resolution microscope is utilized for the highest quality materials research, and that it is maintained at an optimum level of performance. Carnegie-Mellon University pledges to provide significant matching funds for purchase of the instrument and resources for its maintenance.
