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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles
Published on: July 5, 2016
Analysis of extraterrestrial particles using monochromated electron energy-loss spectroscopy
Rolf Erni1, Nigel D Browning, Zu Rong Dai
1Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Abstract:
A monochromated (scanning) transmission electron microscope was used to analyze individual sub-micron grains within interplanetary dust particles (IDP). Using low-loss and core-loss electron energy-loss spectroscopy, we analyzed fluid and gas inclusions within vesiculated alumosilicate grains. It is shown that nanometer-sized vesicles contain predominantly molecular oxygen (O(2)) beside a small fraction of H(2)O. Low-loss spectra reveal the Schumann-Runge continuum peaking at 8.6 eV and absorption bands reflecting vibrational excitation states of O(2) molecules between the first (12.1 eV) and second (16.1 eV) ionization energy. The presence of oxygen gas is supported by the corresponding oxygen K-edge fine structure. The valence state of Fe in iron-oxide within the IDP was also studied. Low-loss spectra provide qualitative information about the oxidation state of iron consistent with the Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) ratio quantitatively derived from the Fe L(2,3) edge.
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