Application of channeling-enhanced electron energy-loss spectroscopy for polarity determination in ZnO nanopillars

Abstract

Polarity in noncentrosymmetric crystals has been shown to affect a number of critical material properties. Here, we demonstrate the application of channeling-enhanced electron energy-loss spectroscopy for the determination of Zn polarity in ZnO nanopillars grown by the chemical vapor deposition method and detail important experimental parameters for the application of this technique. We also confirm ZnO polarity using the more common convergent beam electron diffraction technique.