In Situ TEM Investigation of Diffusion of Nano-Scale Liquid Pb Inclusions on Dislocations and in Bulk Aluminum

Abstract

Diffusion of nano-sized liquid Pb inclusions in thin aluminum foils is investigated using in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Free diffusion of the inclusions in the bulk and diffusion constrained by dislocations trapping is studied. The motion of trapped Pb inclusions is spatially confined in close proximity to the dislocations. The diffusion coefficients of free motion of the inclusions are determined using Einstein's equation. The diffusion coefficients of trapped inclusions were obtained using an equation based on Smoluchowski's analysis of the Brownian motion of particle in a harmonic potential. The agreement of the diffusion coefficients of free and trapped inclusions indicates the same underlying microscopic mechanism, and no strong influence from dislocations. The microscopic mechanism controlling the mobility is discussed.