Multiscale and Correlative Analytical Electron Microscopy of Extraterrestrial Minerals

Abstract

This paper presents a unique correlative microscopic method for the structural characterization of extraterrestrial minerals. A fragment from the pallasite Seymchan meteorite that consists of olivine grains mixed into a metallic iron matrix with variable nickel content was studied from mm-down to nm-size by using the Raman Imaging and Scanning Electron Microscopy and analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy. Hyperspectral fast acquisition for energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping of a couple of mm2 large area correlated with additional hyperspectral Raman analysis of smaller regions in the same area on one hand, and hyperspectral analytic STEM investigations at the atomic resolution, on the other hand, provided valuable information about the chemical composition, bonding, and crystallography. The analysis revealed particles of troilite, schreibersite, and forsterite but also regions of mixed iron oxides, carbonates, and amorphous carbon as well as plessite regions with nanometre-sized taenite needles dispersed in the kamacite matrix.

Imaging Interface and Particle Size Effects by In Situ Correlative Microscopy of a Catalytic Reaction

“…The correlative microscopy concept stems from biological research, where the same cell/tissue structures were studied by light and electron microscopy already in the 1970s. , This has been extended to other imaging techniques such as atomic force microscopy, single molecule fluorescence, X-ray tomography, or scanning electron microscopy , and has made a huge impact in materials research. , In catalysis, correlative microscopy has also been applied, e.g., by combining transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with fluorescence microscopy, atom probe tomography (APT) with scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) with APT, or optical microscopy with confocal and X-ray fluorescence microscopy. − …”

“…15,16 This has been extended to other imaging techniques such as atomic force microscopy, single molecule fluorescence, X-ray tomography, or scanning electron microscopy 17,18 and has made a huge impact in materials research. 19,20 In catalysis, correlative microscopy has also been applied, e.g., by combining transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with fluorescence microscopy, atom probe tomography (APT) with scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) with APT, or optical microscopy with confocal and X-ray fluorescence microscopy. 21−25 On planar Rh samples, catalytic H 2 oxidation has been studied in a correlative way by various combinations of UV or X-ray photoemission electron microscopy [(UV or X)PEEM], SPEM, or low-energy electron microscopy.…”

Pattern Formation in Catalytic H2 Oxidation on Rh: Zooming in by Correlative Microscopy

“… 24 , 25 In the last few decades, correlative analysis has made a vast impact in materials research, combining, e.g., transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with atom probe tomography (APT) 26 or Raman with SEM. 27 , 28 Using protective coatings, changes in the sample resulting from transfer (air exposure) between different devices can be avoided. 29 In catalysis, the correlative microscopy approach, often applied in different setups, 30 − 32 has reached its highest development stage when different microscopies, e.g., single-molecule fluorescence microscopy (SMF) and TEM are combined in one instrument.…”

“…The approach stems from biological research, where the first efforts of correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) on the same cell/tissue structures were made already in the 1970s. , In the meantime, CLEM has been extended to a broad category of methods combining any type of light and electron microscopy on the same sample . Actually, other imaging techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray tomography, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are also successfully used in a correlative microscopy approach. , In the last few decades, correlative analysis has made a vast impact in materials research, combining, e.g., transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with atom probe tomography (APT) or Raman with SEM. , Using protective coatings, changes in the sample resulting from transfer (air exposure) between different devices can be avoided . In catalysis, the correlative microscopy approach, often applied in different setups, − has reached its highest development stage when different microscopies, e.g., single-molecule fluorescence microscopy (SMF) and TEM are combined in one instrument .…”