FIB Deformation Contrast

Deformation Contrast highlights the variation in conductivity within an image. Both FIB (focused ion beam) secondary electron and secondary ion images exhibit deformation contrast, which can be thought of as a subset of orientation contrast, and is the least studied FIB contrast mechanism.

For FCC (face centered cubic) metals in particular, FIB SE & SI images are sensitive to increased dislocation density, slip bands and the presence of subgrain boundaries, revealing a "mottled" and non-uniform contrast as the degree of deformation within a grain increases.