Electron spectroscopic imaging and analysis of electron energy loss spectra with an energy filtering Electron Microscope

Abstract

The Zeiss CEM902, energy filtering electron microscope, can be used to image the structure of unstained 30 nm sections of biologic materials, to image the distribution of selected elements in such sections, and to determine electron energy loss spectra (EELS) of elements in areas as small as 10 nm. Although the integrated computer in the latest version of the CEM902 can collect and display signals from the scintillation detector for recording EELS, our instrument did not have this capability. Therefore, we have added a Leading Edge Model D personal computer with a 20 Mbyte hard disk, Hercules compatible graphics display adapter, and a programmable gain analog to digital converter board (Metrabyte DAS16-G1) to collect and analyze voltage signals corresponding to changes in accelerating voltage and changes in the signal from the photomultiplier tube (PMT) of the scintillation detector. With this board, the gain on the PMT channel is dynamically adjusted for optimal resolution. Software is designed to monitor and display voltages, store data on the hard disk, display spectra with adjustable axes, as well as subtract spectra and determine areas beneath regions of interest.Canine alveolar macrophages with ingested cobalt oxide particles were fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.164M phosphate buffer, post-fixed in 1% OsO4 in 0.lM Na cacodylate buffer, dehydrated through alcohols, embedded in araldite, and sectioned at 30nm. Sections were assessed with our CEM902 as described above. The spectral range of 500 to 900 electron volts while focused on acobalt oxide particle at 20,000x is illustrated in Figure 1 .