Using Line Profiles in the TEM

TEM analysis often involves the characterisation of boundaries between different materials in the sample. This is usually best done by the use of multiple point analysis over the boundaries to be analysed. INCAEnergy TEM has the option of using a line of points so that a line profile may be drawn over these boundaries.

1.

This function can be found in the Point and ID navigator in the Acquire Spectra section. Choosing the Line X-ray Acquire button enables the user to draw a line across an interface or region of interest. The user can set up the number of points or the distance between the points. The separation of the points can be specified in pixels, micrometers or nanometers. The individual spectra are collected at each point and may be displayed individually in the spectrum window

2.

By going to Quant and choosing All Spectra, the quantitative results of all the spectra collected can be tabulated. It is then possible to select those spectra (using the check box beside each spectrum) that will make up the linescan.

3.

Select the Line Profile tab and then choose the elements to show the relationship between their concentrations in graphical form.

4.

The line profile can be printed from the Reports Step in the Navigator, by choosing the Line Profile template in the Quant Results group. Also right click on the line profile and there are several export formats for the graph image. There is also the option to export the numerical graph data as Table (TSV), which creates a text file that can be imported into spreadsheets for further processing.