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7.1. SAED simulation

seto edited this page Mar 23, 2026 · 2 revisions

SAED Simulation

SAED (Selected Area Electron Diffraction) simulation calculates electron diffraction patterns with a parallel beam. This is the default mode of the 7. Diffraction simulator.


Overview

Simulates the diffraction pattern when a parallel electron beam passes through a thin specimen. Spot positions and intensities are calculated from the geometrical relationship between the Ewald sphere and reciprocal lattice points.


Intensity calculation modes

Only excitation error

Fastest mode. Intensity is estimated solely from the distance (excitation error s) between each reciprocal lattice point and the Ewald sphere. Structure factors are not considered.

Kinematical & excitation error

Includes the crystal structure factor |F(g)|.

  • Intensity ∝ |F(g)|²
  • Extinction rules are correctly reflected
  • Suitable for thin specimens or weak diffraction

Dynamical theory

Rigorous Bloch-wave (Bethe) method. Electron diffraction only.

  • Accurate multi-beam scattering
  • Thickness-dependent intensity
  • No. of Bloch waves: 50–200 for routine work; 500+ for high accuracy
  • Thickness: specimen thickness in nm

Spot appearance

Solid sphere

Reciprocal lattice points are spheres of radius R. The cross-section with the Ewald sphere is drawn as a circle. Points far from the Ewald sphere are hidden.

Gaussian

Points are 3D Gaussians (σ = R). The cross-section appears as a 2D Gaussian. All points are visible with intensity-dependent brightness.


Parameters

Parameter Description
Opacity Spot transparency (0–1)
Radius Virtual radius R of reciprocal lattice points
Brightness Brightness correction for Gaussian mode
Colour scale Greyscale or Cold-Warm
Log scale Logarithmic intensity display
Spot colour Spot drawing colour

Spot labels

Select from the toolbar:

Label Content
Index Miller indices (hkl)
d d-spacing (Å)
Distance Spot-to-spot distance on detector
Excit. Err Excitation error s
|Fg| Absolute structure factor

See also

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