The Graovac-Pisanski index of connected bipartite graphs with applications to hydrocarbon molecules

1967 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 368-368

Author(s):

J. J. Kelsch ◽

A. Holtz

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscope ◽

Pressure Gradient ◽

Ionization Potential ◽

Simple Solution ◽

Specimen Surface ◽

Contamination Rate ◽

Local Pressure ◽

High Ionization ◽

Hydrocarbon Molecules ◽

Contamination Problem

A simple solution to the serious problem of specimen contamination in the electron microscope is presented. This is accomplished by the introduction of clean helium into the vacuum exactly at the specimen position. The local pressure gradient thus established inhibits the migration of hydrocarbon molecules to the specimen surface. The high ionization potential of He permits the use of relatively large volumes of the gas, without interfering with gun stability. The contamination rate is reduced on metal samples by a factor of 10.

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New replica method with plasma polymerized film by glow discharge

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100104133 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 414-415

Author(s):

A. Tanaka ◽

M. Yamaguchi ◽

T. Hirano

Keyword(s):

Power Supply ◽

Plasma Polymerization ◽

Vacuum Chamber ◽

Complex Surface ◽

Replica Method ◽

Metal Extraction ◽

High Voltage Power Supply ◽

Negative Glow ◽

Hydrocarbon Gas ◽

Hydrocarbon Molecules

The plasma polymerization replica method and its apparatus have been devised by Tanaka (1-3). We have published several reports on its application: surface replicas of biological and inorganic specimens, replicas of freeze-fractured tissues and metal-extraction replicas with immunocytochemical markers.The apparatus for plasma polymerization consists of a high voltage power supply, a vacuum chamber containing a hydrocarbon gas (naphthalene, methane, ethylene), and electrodes of an anode disk and a cathode of the specimen base. The surface replication by plasma polymerization in negative glow phase on the cathode was carried out by gassing at 0.05-0.1 Torr and glow discharging at 1.5-3 kV D.C. Ionized hydrocarbon molecules diffused into complex surface configurations and deposited as a three-dimensionally polymerized film of 1050 nm in thickness.The resulting film on the complex surface had uniform thickness and showed no granular texture. Since the film was chemically inert, resistant to heat and mecanically strong, it could be treated with almost any organic or inorganic solvents.

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Reduction of Specimen Contamination in Electron-Beam Instruments

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100092840 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 576-577

Author(s):

G. Lehmpfuhl ◽

P. J. Smith

Keyword(s):

Electron Beam ◽

Cold Trap ◽

Beam Diameter ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Scanning Transmission ◽

Hydrocarbon Molecules ◽

Electron Microscopes ◽

Combination Of Methods ◽

Convergent Beam ◽

Very High

Specimens being observed with electron-beam instruments are subject to contamination, which is due to polymerization of hydrocarbon molecules by the beam. This effect becomes more important as the size of the beam is reduced. In convergent-beam studies with a beam diameter of 100 Å, contamination was observed to grow on samples at very high rates. Within a few seconds needles began forming under the beam on both the top and the underside of the sample, at growth rates of 400-500 Å/s, severely limiting the time available for observation. Such contamination could cause serious difficulty in examining a sample with the new scanning transmission electron microscopes, in which the beam is focused to a few angstroms.We have been able to reduce the rate of contamination buildup by a combination of methods: placing an anticontamination cold trap in the sample region, preheating the sample before observation, and irradiating the sample with a large beam before observing it with a small beam.

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A theory of contamination in electron microscopes by surface diffusion

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100107721 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 116-117

Author(s):

J.T. Fourie

Keyword(s):

Electron Beam ◽

Surface Diffusion ◽

High Vacuum ◽

Ultra High Vacuum ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Carbon Compounds ◽

Hydrocarbon Molecules ◽

Electron Microscopes ◽

Primary Electrons ◽

Long Chain

Contamination in electron microscopes can be a serious problem in STEM or in situations where a number of high resolution micrographs are required of the same area in TEM. In modern instruments the environment around the specimen can be made free of the hydrocarbon molecules, which are responsible for contamination, by means of either ultra-high vacuum or cryo-pumping techniques. However, these techniques are not effective against hydrocarbon molecules adsorbed on the specimen surface before or during its introduction into the microscope. The present paper is concerned with a theory of how certain physical parameters can influence the surface diffusion of these adsorbed molecules into the electron beam where they are deposited in the form of long chain carbon compounds by interaction with the primary electrons.

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