Principles and Practice of Variable Pressure / Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (VP-ESEM)

Offers a simple starting point to VPSEM, especially for new users, technicians and students containing clear, concise explanations Crucially, the principles and applications outlined in this book are completely generic: i.e. applicable to all types of VPSEM, irrespective of manufacturer. Information presented will enable reader to turn principles into practice Published in association with the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) -www.rms.org.uk

Contents Chapter 1 -A brief historical overview 1.1 Scanning electron microscopy 1.2 The development of imaging in a gas environment Chapter 2 -Principles of SEM 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Electron sources 2.3 Electron optics 2.4 Signals and detection 2.5 Practical aspects of electron beam irradiation 2.6 the sem in operation   Chapter 3 -General principles of VP-ESEM: utilising a gas 3.1 Introduction 3.2 VP-ESEM instrumentation 3.3 Signal generation in a gas 3.4 Imaging with water vapour    Chapter 4 -Imaging and analysis in the VP-ESEM: the influence of a gas 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Background to theoretical calculations  4.3 Which gas? 4.4 Exploring the gas path length 4.5 How much gas? 4.6 X-ray microanalysis in the VP-ESEM   Chapter 5 -Imaging uncoated specimens in the VP-ESEM  5.1 Introduction 5.2 Electronic structure 5.3 Factors affecting secondary electron emission 5.4 The influence of the specimen on the system 5.5 Time- and temperature-dependent effects 5.6 imaging soft materials 5.7 Effects of ions on imaging 5.8 Imaging with a gas: summary   Chapter 6 -A lab in a chamber – in situ methods in VP-ESEM and other applications  6.1 Introduction 6.2 Nanocharacterisation of insulating materials 6.3 In situ experiments 6.4 Other applications