Ion beam etching in a scanning electron microscope: red blood cell etching

Abstract

Human and avian erythrocytes were ion beam etched in the specimen chamber of a scanning electron microscope. The cells were periodically examined during the course of etching in order to demonstrate how sub-surface features reveal themselves during ion beam etching. Nuclear and vacuolar structures and a seam separating the nucleus and cytoplasm of the avian red cell, were revealed by ion beam etching.