A computer aided approach to electron energy loss spectroscopy and imaging

In this paper we present the design and configuration of an imaging system for electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and electron spectrographic imaging (ESI). The interfacing of commercial off-the-shelf hardware, custom software and a transmission electron microscope containing integrated spectrographic capabilities produces results that are well suited for clinical applications. The custom design and integration of this system allows for full control over all of the methods and procedures employed. This full control and knowledge of the procedures used is not always possible with commercial packages. This custom software allowed for the definition and testing of a new procedure for the determination of the theoretical background image, and hence the ability to refine the overall sensitivity for elemental detection. To further the proof of elemental detection, a procedure for continuous scan of an area of interest while varying delta E can also be performed with this system.