Abstract
X-ray differential absorption microanalysis is presented as a technique for trace element analysis of hydrated biological specimens of about 0.1–5 μm thickness. For the study of the light elements (Z≲20), the absorption technique minimizes the radiation dose and, thus, damage to such specimens when compared with X-ray fluorescence. A Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (SXTM) is described, which has been used to map the concentration of calcium in bone with better than 300 nm spatial resolution and a sensitivity to 5% calcium by weight. Future plans are briefly discussed that offer the hope of achieving 0.1% trace element sensitivity and 75 nm spatial resolution.
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Rarback, H., Cinotti, F., Jacobsen, C. et al. Elemental analysis using differential absorption techniques. Biol Trace Elem Res 13, 103–113 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02796625
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02796625