First high-resolving mass analyzers were built ≈80 years ago as sector field systems, well reproducible ones, however, only much later. Besides these sector-field systems there are three other types of mass analyzers: (1) Penning trap mass analyzers, have achieved the highest resolving powers, but require big technological efforts. (2) Time-of-flight mass analyzers have become the most versatile systems, while high performing multi-reflection time-of-flight systems have only started to be used. (3) Fourier Transform and Orbitrap mass analyzers have achieved spectacularly high mass resolving powers, but are also technically demanding and difficult to build systems.

We demonstrate quantitative core-loss electron energy-loss spectroscopy of iron oxide nanoparticles and imaging resolution of Ag nanoparticles in liquid down to 0.24 nm, in both transmission and scanning transmission modes, in a novel, monolithic liquid cell developed for the transmission electron microscope (TEM). At typical SiN membrane thicknesses of 50 nm the liquid-layer thickness has a maximum change of only 30 nm for the entire TEM viewing area of 200×200 µm.

A scanning electron microscope with a silicon drift detector energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/SDD-EDS) was used to analyze materials containing the low atomic number elements B, C, N, O, and F achieving a high degree of accuracy. Nearly all results fell well within an uncertainty envelope of ±5% relative (where relative uncertainty (%)=[(measured−ideal)/ideal]×100%). Quantification was performed with the standards-based “k-ratio” method with matrix corrections calculated based on the Pouchou and Pichoir expression for the ionization depth distribution function, as implemented in the NIST DTSA-II EDS software platform. The analytical strategy that was followed involved collection of high count (>2.5 million counts from 100 eV to the incident beam energy) spectra measured with a conservative input count rate that restricted the deadtime to ~10% to minimize coincidence effects. Standards employed included pure elements and simple compounds. A 10 keV beam was employed to excite the K- and L-shell X-rays of intermediate and high atomic number elements with excitation energies above 3 keV, e.g., the Fe K-family, while a 5 keV beam was used for analyses of elements with excitation energies below 3 keV, e.g., the Mo L-family.

Erionite samples from Rome, Oregon (USA) and Karlik, Cappadocia (Turkey) were analyzed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (E-SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to verify the chemical composition of this mineral phase, and the presence of iron in particular. By means of backscattered electron images, a large number of particles/grains were observed on the surface of the erionite fibers from both locations. The particles were found to be micrometric on samples from Rome and submicrometric on samples from Karlik, and always lighter than the hosting crystal in appearance. In different areas of the same fiber or bundle of fibers, several EDS spectra were recorded. Iron was detected only when a light particle was lying in the path of the electron beam. Iron was never identified in the EDS spectra acquired on the flat erionite surface. The results from E-SEM/EDS were confirmed by micro-Raman spectroscopy, showing bands ascribing to hematite—Fe2O3, goethite—FeO(OH), or jarosite—KFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6 when the laser beam was addressed on the light particles observed on the fiber surface. The evidence that iron is on the surface of erionite fibers, rather than being part of the crystalline structure, may be relevant for the carcinogenic potential of these fibers.