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X-Ray Microanalysis of Insulators in the ESEM

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

M.R. Phillips
Affiliation:
Microstructural Analysis Unit, University of Technology, Sydney Broadway NSW, Australia 2007
M. Toth
Affiliation:
Microstructural Analysis Unit, University of Technology, Sydney Broadway NSW, Australia 2007
B.J. Griffin
Affiliation:
Western Australian Centre for Microscopy, University of Western Australia Nedlands WA Australia, 6907
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Extract

We have investigated the affect of accelerating voltage (E0), pressure (P), GSED bias (VGSED), field line geometry and specimen conductivity on the landing energy of the primary beam in an XL30 ESEM. The landing energy of the primary beam can be measured by using the Duane-Hunt cut-off energy, EDH, in EDS X-ray spectra. We present experimental evidence that the landing energy of the primary beam can be significantly altered when analyzing insulators in an ESEM. Shifts in EDH result from electric fields produced by the presence of positive ions in the ESEM chamber and electrons trapped in the bulk. No shift in EDH was observed with conductive specimens at all E0 and P. Changes in the landing energy of the primary beam can significantly effect the relative intensity of characteristic peaks in EDS spectra measured in the ESEM (Figure 1).

The magnitude and sign of the shift in EDH is determined by E0 and P for a specific insulator specimen and stage geometry.

Type
Working with ESEM and Other Variable Pressure Systems
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America

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References

References:

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