Microsc. Microanal. Microstruct. 4, 143-152 (1993)
DOI: 10.1051/mmm:0199300402-3014300

In-situ observation of movement of atoms and identification of thorium atoms by core-loss electron imaging

Y. Makita¹, H. Hashimoto¹, N. Nagaoka¹ et A. Kumao<sup>2

1</sup>  Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University of Science, Ridai-cho, Okayama 700, Japan
²  Department of Electronics and Information Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606, Japan

Abstract
In-situ observation of the process of coagulation and decomposition of long chain molecules of thorium-pyromeritate dispersed on graphite thin films and their crystallization process to small crystals of ThO2 under electron beam irradiation have been recorded by using the TV system which is located behind the fluorescent screen of JEOL 400 kV electron microscope. Identification of thorium (Th) atoms is carried out using only the electrons having suffered an energy loss corresponding to the excitation of the O4,5 level in Th atoms.

PACS
6180F - Electron and positron radiation effects.
0778 - Electron, positron, and ion microscopes; electron diffractometers.

Key words
Electron irradiation -- Electron energy loss spectra -- Energy filtering -- TEM -- Atom migration -- In situ -- Crystallization -- Chemical decomposition -- Thorium oxides -- Thorium atom -- ThO2 -- O Th


© EDP Sciences 1993