The Preparation of TEM Specimens from Hazardous or Difficult Materials

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe first, and often the most critical, step in any electron microscopy investigation is the preparation of an electron transparent specimen which is representative of the bulk material and in which the features of interest can be clearly observed and interpreted. However, for many materials of technological importance, specimen preparation procedures are far from routine. The application of standard, established techniques may be limited by material inhomogeneities, by physical constraints such as size or geometry, or by material constraints such as toxicity, radioactivity, or reactivity. Examples illustrating techniques for overcoming some of these difficulties will be reviewed.