Quantitative electron incoherent scattering and application to nanometre-sized charge ordering in La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃

A new scattering matrix theory that takes full account of electron multiple scattering is described for electron incoherent scattering based on the two-phase model. This theory was applied to determine the structure of nanometre-sized charge ordering in La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃, where the ordered structure is distributed randomly in the crystal and contributes to the total scattering incoherently. The experimental diffraction pattern from La_2/3Ca_1/3MnO₃ has the characteristics of a displacement wave. Based on this, we proposed a structural model and tested it by comparing the experimental diffraction intensities with theoretical intensities. Quantitative analysis was made possible by using electron energy-filtering and imaging plates for electron intensity measurement. The good agreement between the experiment and theory shows that it is possible to extract important structural information from electron incoherent scattering.