Technical Descriptions
Below are several examples of write-ups for individual microscopes and techniques. These are examples only. Always confirm that the parameters listed in the write-ups are the same as what were used for your research and update the information as-needed before you publish. The staff in the PEMC will be happy to help you with your personalized write-up if necessary. We have also provided a copy of our suggested acknowledgement text. You can find information about why you should always acknowledge the PEMC here.
Acknowledging the PEMC
Electron microscopy was performed using instrumentation in the Purdue Electron Microscopy Center (RRID:SCR_022687).Transmission Electron Microscopes
TEM Imaging
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EDX Spectroscopy
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EELS
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IDPC
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Electron Tomography
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TEM Imaging
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EDX Spectroscopy
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DPC
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TEM Imaging
TEM images were acquired with an FEI Tecnai G2 20 TEM equipped with a Gatan US1000 2K CCD camera. The microscope operates with a 200kV LaB6 filament electron gun.
EDX Spectroscopy
Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy was performed using an FEI Tecnai G2 20 TEM equipped with an Oxford X-Max80 detector. Samples were prepared on copper grids and loaded into the microscope using a single tilt holder.
TEM Imaging
TEM images were acquired with an FEI Tecnai 12 TEM equipped with a Gatan ORIUS side-mount CCD camera. The microscope was run with a tungsten filament electron gun, operating at 80 kV.
Scanning Electron Microscopes
SEM Imaging
Images were acquired using a ThermoFisher Scientific Apreo 2S FEG SEM equipped with an Everhart Thornley detector (ETD), three in-lens detectors (T1, T2, T3), and an annular backscatter electron detector (ABS). The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of XX kV and a beam current of XX nA.
Cryo SEM
Cryo-SEM was performed using a ThermoFisher Scientific Apreo 2S FEG SEM equipped with a Quorum PPP3010T Cryo-SEM Preparation System. Samples were flash-frozen in slushed liquid nitrogen (LN2), sublimed at 90°C for 3 minutes, sputter coated with platinum, and imaged using an Everhart-Thornley detector (ETD). The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of XX kV and a beam current of XX nA.
EDX Spectroscopy
Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy was performed using a ThermoFisher Scientific Apreo 2S FEG SEM equipped with an Oxford ULTIM Max 100 detector. The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of XX kV during EDX analysis. EDX data processing was performed using Aztec software (Oxford Instruments).
ECCI and ECP
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Low Vacuum SEM Imaging
Images were acquired using a ThermoFisher Scientific Apreo 2S FEG SEM operating in low-vacuum mode. Water vapor was used to reach the desired pressure in the sample chamber.
SEM Imaging
Samples were imaged using a ThermoFisher Scientific Helios G4 UX FEG Dual Beam SEM equipped with an Everhart Thornley detector (ETD).
FIB
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EBSD
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EDX Spectroscopy
Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy was performed using a ThermoFisher Scientific Helios G4 UX FEG Dual Beam SEM equipped with an Oxford ULTIM Max 100 detector. The microscope was operating with a beam voltage of XX kV during EDX analysis. EDX data processing was performed using Aztec software (Oxford Instruments).
(S)TEM
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SEM Imaging
Images were acquired using an FEI Teneo Volumescope FEG SEM equipped with an Everhart Thornley detector (ETD), three in-lens detectors (T1, T2, T3), and an annular backscatter electron detector (ABS). The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of XX kV and a beam current of XX nA.
Serial Block Face Imaging
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(S)TEM
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Low Vacuum SEM Imaging
Images were acquired using an FEI Teneo Volumescope FEG SEM operating in low-vacuum mode. Water vapor was used to reach the desired pressure in the sample chamber.
SEM Imaging
Samples were imaged using an FEI Quanta 3D FEG Dual Beam SEM equipped with an Everhart Thornley detector (ETD) and a backscatter electron detector (BSED). The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of XX kV and a beam current of XX nA.
EDX Spectroscopy
Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy was performed using an FEI Quanta 3D FEG Dual Beam SEM equipped with an Oxford X-Max 80 detector. The microscope was operating with a beam voltage of XX kV during EDX analysis.
FIB
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ESEM
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SEM Imaging
Images were acquired using an FEI Quanta 650 FEG SEM equipped with an Everhart Thornley detector (ETD), and a backscatter electron detector (BSED). The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of XX kV and a beam current of XX nA.
EDX Spectroscopy
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EBSD
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SEM Imaging
Images were captured using a Hitachi S-4800 cold field emission gun (cFEG) scanning electron microscope equipped with a secondary electron detector and a backscatter electron detector. The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of XX kV and a beam current of XX nA.
EDX Spectroscopy
Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy was performed using a Hitachi S-4800 cFEG SEM equipped with an Oxford X-MaxN 80 detector. The microscope was operated at an accelerating voltage of XX kV during EDX analysis. EDX data processing was performed using Aztec software (Oxford Instruments).
Sample Preparation
Samples were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer, post-fixed in buffered 1% osmium tetroxide containing 0.8% potassium ferricyanide, and en bloc stained in 1% aqueous uranyl acetate. They were then dehydrated with a graded series of ethanol and transitioned into EMbed-812 resin using acetonitrile. After transitioning to 100% resin, the resin-embedded samples were hardened in a 60°C oven. Thin sections (80nm) were cut on a Leica EM UC6 ultramicrotome and stained with 2% uranyl acetate and lead citrate.
CPD
Specimens were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer, post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, and transferred into a Tousimis 931 CPD for critical point drying. Dried specimens were coated with platinum in a Cressington 208HR sputter coater.
HMDS
Specimens were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer, post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, transferred into hexamethyldisilazane and air dried. Dried specimens were coated with platinum in a Cressington 208HR sputter coater.
Samples were coated with platinum using a Cressington 208HR sputter coater equipped with a rotary-planetary-tilting stage.