Influence of surface oxidation on transmission electron microscopy characterization of Fe–Ga alloys

Fe–Ga alloys are rapidly oxidized when exposed in air, forming both amorphous and crystalline surface oxides. These oxides hinder the observation of the ordered phases of B2 and D03 in Fe–Ga alloys by dark-field imaging and high-resolution imaging of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Proper imaging techniques and reduction of surface oxides are necessary to obtain representative microstructural features to the bulk alloys by TEM.