Recent advances in electron-beam-induced damage models in yttria fully stabilized zirconia single crystals

Dislocation loop formation in yttria fully stabilized zirconia single cryst als observed in a transmission electron microscope has been reported in the literature. To account for the loop formation, two different explanations have been proposed. Here we present original experiments focusing on a comp arison of the two models. We conclude that the origin of the loops is preci pitation of a second phase, enhanced by heating in the electron beam.