this review describes the Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), Raman Spectroscopy & Field Ion Microscopy (FIM) techniques for materials characterization at the atomic and molecular level along with composition, and vibration frequencies of a substance. The goal is to provide an overview of the utilization of these instrumental methods for analyzing the surf...

Recent developments in SEM column design have led to the ability to produce nm spot sizes even at high probe currents [1], thus pushing the analytical techniques available in the SEM to conduct microanalysis with nanometer resolution. Although the limitations of microanalysis at these spatial resolution requirements stem from the physics of beam-specimen interaction and the volume from which th...

The laser damage resistance of optical coatings is a key point for a large number of applications. The aim of this work is to test and analyze the laser damage resistance of a thin film material commonly used for high power applications (SiO2) and deposited with different techniques: Electron Beam Deposition, Ion Assisted Deposition, Low Voltage Reactive Ion Plating and Dual Ion Beam Sputtering...

A comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) microanalysis procedure using a combined scanning electron microscope (SEM)/focused ion beam (FIB) system equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) has been developed. The FIB system was used first to prepare a site-specific region for X-ray microanalysis followed by the acquisition of an electron-beam generated X-ray spectral image. A sm...

This study evaluated the morphological and chemical composition of the following bone substitutes: cancellous and cortical organic bovine bone with macro and microparticle size ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 mm and 0.25 to 1.0 mm, respectively; inorganic bovine bone with particle size ranging from 0.25 to 1.0 mm; hydroxyapatite with particle size ranging from 0.75 to 1.0 mm; and demineralized freeze-d...

The ionic composition of airway surface liquid (ASL) has been debated, and, in particular for the mouse, a wide range of values has been published. Two techniques were developed to measure the elemental composition of the ASL. X-ray microanalysis of ASL was carried out at low temperature on trachea removed from isoflurane-anesthetized animals and shock-frozen. In the second technique, dextran b...

Cathodoluminescence ~CL! microanalysis provides high-sensitivity spectra and high-resolution images associated with impurity and structural defects at the nanoscale and from luminescent materials including minerals, semiconductor, and dielectric/insulating materials. Cathodoluminescence is the non-incandescent emission of light ~photons! emitted from materials excited by an electron beam. CL ph...