An alternative focused ion beam preparation method is used for sampling historical photographs containing metallic nanoparticles in a polymer matrix. We use the preparation steps of classical ultra-microtomy with an alternative final sectioning with a focused ion beam. Transmission electron microscopy techniques show that the lamella has a uniform thickness, which is an important factor for analytical transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the method maintains the spatial distribution of nanoparticles in the soft matrix. The results are compared with traditional preparation techniques such as ultra-microtomy and classical focused ion beam milling.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.