Abstract
ABSTRACTParallel-detection electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the scanning transmission electron microscope provides a very sensitive means of detecting specific elements in biological systems. By analyzing EELS spectrum-image data recorded from rapidly-frozen and cryosectioned tissue it is possible to map quantitatively the distribution of the biologically important element, calcium, which is typically present at concentrations of only a few parts per million in cellular structures some tens of nanometers in diameter. A significant improvement (factor of four) in calcium detectability has been demonstrated for EELS compared with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The spectrum-imaging technique has also been applied to map water distributions in hydrated biological specimens by utilizing the valence electron excitations.
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