Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Measurement of Total Calcium in Neurons by Electron Probe X-ray Microanalysis
Published on: November 20, 2013
Experimental ionization cross-sections of phosphorus and calcium by electron spectroscopic imaging
Y M Heng1, G T Simon, M Boublik
1Electron Microscopy Facility, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
The absolute partial electron scattering cross-section for the phosphorus L2,3-shell ionization was measured by electron spectroscopic imaging using poliovirus as a primary standard. The equivalent calcium cross-section was obtained in relation to phosphorus using the stoichiometric ratio for these two elements in hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. At 80 keV, the partial cross-section of phosphorus was 2.26 x 10(-20) and 2.68 x 10(-20) cm2/atom for poliovirus and hydroxyapatite, respectively, at 150 eV loss for a 15-eV energy window and an acceptance angle of 15 mrad. Under the same conditions the calcium cross-section was 0.49 x 10(-20) cm2/atom at 360 eV loss. The experimental values are slightly higher than the theoretical cross-sections calculated either by hydrogenic or Hartree-Slater approaches.
Related Concept Videos
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.
Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab

