electron microprobe

Microprobe classification

Record evidence for classification by analytical purpose and configuration, including overlap with analytical SEMs.

1. What documented purpose and configuration identify this instrument as an electron microprobe? definition
2. Where does the registry place the boundary between this kind and an SEM equipped for quantitative X-ray microanalysis? boundary

Elemental evidence

Distinguish measured spectral intensities, inferred composition and interpretations requiring additional evidence.

1. Which outputs are measured intensities and which are calculated elemental concentrations? definition
2. Which proposed phase, bonding or structural conclusions require a neighbouring analytical method? boundary

Usable beam conditions

Record voltage, current and focus conditions as a coupled operating envelope.

1. What voltage, probe current and beam diameter combinations are supported for the intended analysis? measurement
2. How is current measured, and what drift criterion requires correction or recalibration? action

Analytical localisation

Record the evidence needed to attribute a measurement to a feature without mixing neighbouring material.

1. What estimate or measurement supports the X-ray generation volume for this material, voltage and selected line? measurement
2. When must analysis near an interface, thin layer or small inclusion be rejected or qualified? action

Line and background selection

Associate each target element with a usable line, detector configuration and interference assessment.

1. Which installed spectrometer, analysing crystal or detector configuration can measure each proposed line? measurement
2. What peak overlaps, background features and count-rate effects must the acquisition method address? action

Quantitative traceability

Link results to reference compositions, correction methods and independent verification.

1. Which reference materials, assigned compositions and matrix-correction method support the analysis? provenance
2. What verification results establish precision, detection limits and uncertainty for the target elements and matrix? measurement
3. What failed checks require restandardisation, remeasurement or qualification of the result? action

Prepared surface suitability

Assess the actual prepared specimen against the intended quantitative method.

1. Are specimen dimensions, surface relief, mounting materials and outgassing compatible with the holder and analysis? measurement
2. What conductive path or coating is needed, and how could that coating affect the selected X-ray measurements? action

Repeatable and undisturbed targets

Record target registration, stage constraints and evidence of specimen change during acquisition.

1. How are image coordinates registered to stage positions and the required analytical focus? measurement
2. What time-dependent signal changes indicate charging, contamination, elemental migration or beam damage? measurement
3. When should current, beam diameter, dwell time or target location change to preserve a usable measurement? action

Analytical service condition

Record configuration-specific checks and maintenance evidence for critical subsystems.

1. Which vacuum, source-emission, spectrometer-positioning and detector checks demonstrate readiness? measurement
2. Which source parts, apertures, pumps, detector gases or other consumables apply to this configuration, and what triggers service? action

Energisation and access

Connect high-voltage and X-ray protection, vacuum sequencing and access restrictions to allowed actions.

1. Which interlocks and verified conditions are required before beam energisation, chamber venting or specimen exchange? action
2. Which manufacturer instructions, issuing-body standards and local requirements govern this configuration? provenance
3. Which faults require shutdown or qualified service before analytical work resumes? action

Check these first

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these check these first hold for the sense of electron microprobe this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Kinds and varieties

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these kinds and varieties hold for the sense of electron microprobe this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Standards and regulation

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of electron microprobe this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Real-world use

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of electron microprobe this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Typical measurements

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of electron microprobe this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Failure modes and hazards

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of electron microprobe this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

1. Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of electron microprobe this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance