Applications of Scanning Transmission X-Ray Microscopy in Studying Clays and their Chemical Interactions

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish C.B. Myneni ◽  
Bhoopesh Mishra ◽  
Michael B. Hay
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Interactions ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Scanning Transmission

Microanalysis of precipitates in a ferritic steel

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 618-619
Author(s):  
J.M. Titchmarsh
Keyword(s):  
Ferritic Steel ◽  
Particle Identification ◽  
Energy Dispersive ◽  
Objective Lens ◽  
Ferritic Steels ◽  
Replica Technique ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Made In

The advances in recent years in the microanalytical capabilities of conventional TEM's fitted with probe forming lenses allow much more detailed investigations to be made of the microstructures of complex alloys, such as ferritic steels, than have been possible previously. In particular, the identification of individual precipitate particles with dimensions of a few tens of nanometers in alloys containing high densities of several chemically and crystallographically different precipitate types is feasible. The aim of the investigation described in this paper was to establish a method which allowed individual particle identification to be made in a few seconds so that large numbers of particles could be examined in a few hours.A Philips EM400 microscope, fitted with the scanning transmission (STEM) objective lens pole-pieces and an EDAX energy dispersive X-ray analyser, was used at 120 kV with a thermal W hairpin filament. The precipitates examined were extracted using a standard C replica technique from specimens of a 2¼Cr-lMo ferritic steel in a quenched and tempered condition.

High-resolution x-ray imaging of small copper-rich precipitates in steels

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 528-529
Author(s):  
J. R. Michael ◽  
K. A. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Thermomechanical Processing ◽  
Atom Probe ◽  
Ferrite Matrix ◽  
Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
Probe Field ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Subsequent Transformation ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Transmission

Although copper is considered an incidental or trace element in many commercial steels, some grades contain up to 1-2 wt.% Cu for precipitation strengthening. Previous electron microscopy and atom-probe/field-ion microscopy (AP/FIM) studies indicate that the precipitation of copper from ferrite proceeds with the formation of Cu-rich bcc zones and the subsequent transformation of these zones to fcc copper particles. However, the similarity between the atomic scattering amplitudes for iron and copper and the small misfit between between Cu-rich particles and the ferrite matrix preclude the detection of small (<5 nm) Cu-rich particles by conventional transmission electron microscopy; such particles have been imaged directly only by FIM. Here results are presented whereby the Cu Kα x-ray signal was used in a dedicated scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) to image small Cu-rich particles in a steel. The capability to detect these small particles is expected to be helpful in understanding the behavior of copper in steels during thermomechanical processing and heat treatment.

Energy Dispersive X-Ray Measurements of thin Metal Foils

1976 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 426-427
Author(s):  
J. Bentley ◽  
E. A. Kenik
Keyword(s):  
Materials Science ◽  
Energy Dispersive Spectrometer ◽  
Thin Foil ◽  
Thin Metal ◽  
Energy Dispersive ◽  
Thin Specimen ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Metal Foils ◽  
Small Probe ◽  
Scanning Transmission

Instruments combining a 100 kV transmission electron microscope (TEM) with scanning transmission (STEM), secondary electron (SEM) and x-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) attachments to give analytical capabilities are becoming increasingly available and useful. Some typical applications in the field of materials science which make use of the small probe size and thin specimen geometry are the chemical analysis of small precipitates contained within a thin foil and the measurement of chemical concentration profiles near microstructural features such as grain boundaries, point defect clusters, dislocations, or precipitates. Quantitative x-ray analysis of bulk samples using EDS on a conventional SEM is reasonably well established, but much less work has been performed on thin metal foils using the higher accelerating voltages available in TEM based instruments.

Techniques for cryoultramicrotomy of propane jet frozen biological samples

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 260-261
Author(s):  
B. Craig ◽  
L. Hawkey ◽  
A. LeFurgey
Keyword(s):  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Freeze Substitution ◽  
Heart Cells ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Chick Heart ◽  
Embryonic Chick Heart ◽  
A New Technique

Ultra-rapid freezing followed by cryoultramicrotomy is essential for the preservation of diffusible elements in situ within cells prior to scanning transmission electron microscopy and quantitative energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis. For cells or tissue fragments in suspension and for monolayer cell cultures, propane jet freezing provides cooling rates greater than 30,000°C/sec with regions up to 40μm in thickness free of significant ice crystal formation. While this method of freezing has frequently been applied prior to freeze fracture or freeze substitution, it has not been widely utilized prior to cryoultramicrotomy and subsequent x-ray microanalytical studies. This report describes methods devised in our laboratory for cryosectioning of propane jet frozen kidney proximal tubule suspensions and cultured embryonic chick heart cells, in particular a new technique for mounting frozen suspension specimens for sectioning. The techniques utilize the same specimen supports and sample holders as those used for freeze fracture and freeze substitution and should be generally applicable to any cell suspension or culture preparation.

Studies of metaphase chromosomes in the scanning transmission x-ray microscope: Image fidelity, radiation damage and specimen preparation

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1038-1039
Author(s):  
Shawn Williams ◽  
Xiaodong Zhang ◽  
Susan Lamm ◽  
Jack Van’t Hof
Keyword(s):  
Visible Light ◽  
Radiation Damage ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Dose Range ◽  
Specimen Preparation ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Metaphase Chromosomes ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Scanning Transmission

The Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM) is well suited for investigating metaphase chromosome structure. The absorption cross-section of soft x-rays having energies between the carbon and oxygen K edges (284 - 531 eV) is 6 - 9.5 times greater for organic specimens than for water, which permits one to examine unstained, wet biological specimens with resolution superior to that attainable using visible light. The attenuation length of the x-rays is suitable for imaging micron thick specimens without sectioning. This large difference in cross-section yields good specimen contrast, so that fewer soft x-rays than electrons are required to image wet biological specimens at a given resolution. But most imaging techniques delivering better resolution than visible light produce radiation damage. Soft x-rays are known to be very effective in damaging biological specimens. The STXM is constructed to minimize specimen dose, but it is important to measure the actual damage induced as a function of dose in order to determine the dose range within which radiation damage does not compromise image quality.

Magnesium and sulfur in mast cell and basophil granules of lower vertebrates in relation with histamine

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1596-1597
Author(s):  
Kenichi Takaya
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Mast Cell ◽  
Mast Cells ◽  
Tree Frog ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Fresh Frozen ◽  
Ultrathin Sections

Mast cell and basophil granules of the vertebrate contain heparin or related sulfated proteoglycans. Histamine is also present in mammalian mast cells and basophils. However, no histamine is detected in mast cell granules of the amphibian or fish, while it is shown in those of reptiles and birds A quantitative x-ray microanalysis of mast cell granules of fresh frozen dried ultrathin sections of the tongue of Wistar rats and tree frogs disclosed high concentrations of sulfur in rat mast cell granules and those of sulfur and magnesium in the tree frog granules. Their concentrations in tree frog mast cell granules were closely correlated (r=0.94).Fresh frozen dried ultrathin sections and fresh air-dried prints of the tree frog tongue and spleen and young red-eared turtle (ca. 6 g) spleen and heart blood were examined by a quantitative energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis (X-650, Kevex-7000) for the element constituents of the granules of mast cells and basophils. The specimens were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (80-200 kV) and followed by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) under an analytical electron microscope (X-650) at an acceleration voltage of 40 kV and a specimen current of 0.2 nA. A spot analysis was performed in a STEM mode for 100 s at a specimen current of 2 nA on the mast cell and basophil granules and other areas of the cells. Histamine was examined by the o-phthalaldehyde method.

The effect of small additions of Cu on precipitation in Al-Mg-Si alloys

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 442-443
Author(s):  
M. Tamizifar ◽  
G. Cliff ◽  
R.W. Devenish ◽  
G.W. Lorimer
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Analytical Electron Microscopy ◽  
Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
Argon Atmosphere ◽  
Age Hardening ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Analytical Electron ◽  
Scanning Transmission

Small additions of copper, <1 wt%, have a pronounced effect on the ageing response of Al-Mg-Si alloys. The object of the present investigation was to study the effect of additions of copper up to 0.5 wt% on the ageing response of a series of Al-Mg-Si alloys and to use high resolution analytical electron microscopy to determine the composition of the age hardening precipitates.The composition of the alloys investigated is given in Table 1. The alloys were heat treated in an argon atmosphere for 30m, water quenched and immediately aged either at 180°C for 15 h or given a duplex treatment of 180°C for 15 h followed by 350°C for 2 h2. The double-ageing treatment was similar to that carried out by Dumolt et al. Analyses of the precipitation were carried out with a HB 501 Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope. X-ray peak integrals were converted into weight fractions using the ratio technique of Cliff and Lorimer.

Chemical and orientational imaging of polymeric samples

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 68-69
Author(s):  
H. Ade ◽  
B. Hsiao ◽  
G. Mitchell ◽  
E. Rightor ◽  
A. P. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethylene Terephthalate ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Brookhaven National Laboratory ◽  
Carbonyl Groups ◽  
Aromatic Rings ◽  
Edge Structure ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Polymeric Samples ◽  
X Ray Absorption

We have used the Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope at beamline X1A (X1-STXM) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to acquire high resolution, chemical and orientation sensitive images of polymeric samples as well as point spectra from 0.1 μm areas. This sensitivity is achieved by exploiting the X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) of the carbon K edge. One of the most illustrative example of the chemical sensitivity achievable is provided by images of a polycarbonate/pol(ethylene terephthalate) (70/30 PC/PET) blend. Contrast reversal at high overall contrast is observed between images acquired at 285.36 and 285.69 eV (Fig. 1). Contrast in these images is achieved by exploring subtle differences between resonances associated with the π bonds (sp hybridization) of the aromatic groups of each polymer. PET has a split peak associated with these aromatic groups, due to the proximity of its carbonyl groups to its aromatic rings, whereas PC has only a single peak.

High Spatial Resolution Compositional Analysis at Interfaces

1980 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 356-359
Author(s):  
John B. Vander Sande ◽  
Thomas F. Kelly ◽  
Douglas Imeson
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Compositional Analysis ◽  
Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
Thin Specimen ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Volume Of Interest ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Electron Energy Loss

In the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) a fine probe of electrons is scanned across the thin specimen, or the probe is stationarily placed on a volume of interest, and various products of the electron-specimen interaction are then collected and used for image formation or microanalysis. The microanalysis modes usually employed in STEM include, but are not restricted to, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and microdiffraction.

3D Observation of Elemental Distribution of Si-Device using a Dedicated FIB/STEM System

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Yaguchi ◽  
M. Konno ◽  
T. Kamino ◽  
M. Ogasawara ◽  
K. Kaji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Elemental Distribution ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Sample Rotation ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Elemental Maps

Abstract A technique for preparation of a pillar shaped sample and its multi-directional observation of the sample using a focused ion beam (FIB) / scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) system has been developed. The system employs an FIB/STEM compatible sample rotation holder with a specially designed rotation mechanism, which allows the sample to be rotated 360 degrees [1-3]. This technique was used for the three dimensional (3D) elemental mapping of a contact plug of a Si device in 90 nm technology. A specimen containing a contact plug was shaped to a pillar sample with a cross section of 200 nm x 200 nm and a 5 um length. Elemental analysis was performed with a 200 kV HD-2300 STEM equipped with the EDAX genesis Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) system. Spectrum imaging combined with multivariate statistical analysis (MSA) [4, 5] was used to enhance the weak X-ray signals of the doped area, which contain a low concentration of As-K. The distributions of elements, especially the dopant As, were successfully enhanced by MSA. The elemental maps were .. reconstructed from the maps.

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