Description of various advanced material characterization techniques. The topics that are covered in this curricular unit are:

1. Introduction to Advanced Electron-Based Characterization
-Spatial resolution, contrast, aberrations, and corrections
-Sample preparation for advanced electron analysis (FIB, electropolishing, selectivedeposition)
-Practical considerations: analysis environment, stability, and experimental control

2. EBSD (Electron Backscatter Diffraction)
-Fundamentals of backscattered electron diffraction
-Mapping of crystal orientation, texture, grain size, and grain boundaries
-Applications in metallic, ceramic, and polycrystalline materials
-Analysis of local strains and deformations

3. Transmission Kikuchi Diffraction / t-EBSD
-Principles and advantages compared to conventional EBSD
-Application in thin films, interfaces, and small particles
-Improved angular and spatial resolution
-Applications in mapping highly deformed regions and nanomaterials

4. HRTEM (High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy)
-Image formation in HRTEM: phase contrast and sub-Ångström resolution
-Analysis of defects, interfaces, atomic planes, and crystal stacking
-Simulation and interpretation of HRTEM images
-Instrumental and environmental requirements

5. ACTEM (Aberration-Corrected Transmission Electron Microscopy)
-Aberration correctors: types, principles, and impact on resolution
-Advantages for atomic-scale structural and chemical analysis
-Applications in frontier research: point defects, doping, complex structures

6. Precision TEM / Quantitative TEM
-Quantitative measurement of displacements and strain fields from high-resolution images
-Integration with simulation methods (multislice, GPA, etc.)
-Quantitative analysis of defects and lattice distortions

7. 4D-STEM (Four-Dimensional Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy)
-Principles: acquisition of diffraction patterns at each scan point
-Associated techniques: ptychography, electric field and strain mapping
-Data reconstruction and analysis using advanced computational tools
-Emerging applications in functional materials and complex interfaces

8. ETEM (Environmental TEM)
-Characterization of materials under reactive conditions (gas, temperature, electric/magnetic field)
-In situ observation of chemical reactions, phase growth, sintering, etc.
-Limitations, technical challenges, and experimental safety
-Case studies in catalysis, corrosion, energy materials, and biomaterials

9. Integration and Interdisciplinary Applications
-Comparison and selection of techniques according to scientific or technological questions
-Case studies in advanced materials: semiconductors, nanomaterials, batteries, 2D materials
-Integration of EBSD, TEM, XPS, and spectroscopic techniques for comprehensive characterization
-Development of skills for multidimensional data interpretation