The invention relates to a cathodoluminescence detection system comprising: a collecting optic (112) collecting light radiation (108) from a sample illuminated by a beam of charged particles and reflecting said radiation (108) onto analysis means, said collecting optic (112) being placed in a chamber, called a vacuum chamber, wherein the pressure is below atmospheric pressure; and means (316) for adapting the light radiation, placed downstream of the collecting optic (112) and designed to adapt said light radiation (108) at the inlet of the analysis means. Said system is characterized in that all or part of the adapting means (316) is placed in an environment where the pressure is higher than the pressure in said vacuum chamber.

The invention relates to a cathodoluminescence detection system comprising: a collecting optic (112) collecting light radiation (108) from a sample illuminated by a beam of charged particles and reflecting said radiation (108) onto analysis means, said collecting optic (112) being placed in a chamber, called a vacuum chamber, wherein the pressure is below atmospheric pressure; and means (316) for adapting the light radiation, placed downstream of the collecting optic (112) and designed to adapt said light radiation (108) at the inlet of the analysis means. Said system is characterized in that all or part of the adapting means (316) is placed in an environment where the pressure is higher than the pressure in said vacuum chamber.

The present invention makes it possible to analyze trace carbon in a sample without the effects of contamination. In an electron probe microanalyzer, a liquid nitrogen trap and a plasma or oxygen radical generator are jointly used as a means for suppressing contamination, and two or more carbon detection units for detecting characteristic x-rays of carbon in the sample are provided.

The present invention makes it possible to analyze trace carbon in a sample without the effects of contamination. In an electron probe microanalyzer, a liquid nitrogen trap and a plasma or oxygen radical generator are jointly used as a means for suppressing contamination, and two or more carbon detection units for detecting characteristic x-rays of carbon in the sample are provided.

An electron energy loss spectrometer is described having a direct detection sensor, a high speed shutter and a sensor processor wherein the sensor processor combines images from individual sensor read-outs and converts a two dimensional image from said sensor into a one dimensional spectrum and wherein the one dimensional spectrum is output to a computer and operation of the high speed shutter is integrated with timing of imaging the sensor. The shutter is controlled to allow reduction in exposure of images corresponding to the individual sensor readouts. A plurality of images are exposed by imaging less than the full possible exposure and wherein the plurality of images are combined to form a composite image. The plurality of images can be comprised of images created by exposing the sensor for different exposure times.

An electron energy loss spectrometer is described having a direct detection sensor, a high speed shutter and a sensor processor wherein the sensor processor combines images from individual sensor read-outs and converts a two dimensional image from said sensor into a one dimensional spectrum and wherein the one dimensional spectrum is output to a computer and operation of the high speed shutter is integrated with timing of imaging the sensor. The shutter is controlled to allow reduction in exposure of images corresponding to the individual sensor readouts. A plurality of images are exposed by imaging less than the full possible exposure and wherein the plurality of images are combined to form a composite image. The plurality of images can be comprised of images created by exposing the sensor for different exposure times.

The objective of the present invention is to simultaneously achieve image observations at a high resolution using an electron microscope, and X-ray analysis at a high energy-resolution using a microcalorimeter. An X-ray detector is disposed at a position where the intensity of the magnetic field from an objective lens is weaker than the critical magnetic field of a material used in a thermal insulation shield for a superconducting transition-edge sensor or a microcalorimeter. In addition, an optical system for transmitting X-rays to the detector is inserted between a sample and the detector. Alternatively, a magnetic field shield for shielding the X-ray detector is used.

An electron energy loss spectrometer is described having a direct detection sensor, a high speed shutter and a sensor processor wherein the sensor processor combines images from individual sensor read-outs and converts a two dimensional image from said sensor into a one dimensional spectrum and wherein the one dimensional spectrum is output to a computer and operation of the high speed shutter is integrated with timing of imaging the sensor. The shutter is controlled to allow reduction in exposure of images corresponding to the individual sensor readouts. A plurality of images are exposed by imaging less than the full possible exposure and wherein the plurality of images are combined to form a composite image. The plurality of images can be comprised of images created by exposing the sensor for different exposure times.

An electron energy loss spectrometer is described having a direct detection sensor, a high speed shutter and a sensor processor wherein the sensor processor combines images from individual sensor read-outs and converts a two dimensional image from said sensor into a one dimensional spectrum and wherein the one dimensional spectrum is output to a computer and operation of the high speed shutter is integrated with timing of imaging the sensor. The shutter is controlled to allow reduction in exposure of images corresponding to the individual sensor readouts. A plurality of images are exposed by imaging less than the full possible exposure and wherein the plurality of images are combined to form a composite image. The plurality of images can be comprised of images created by exposing the sensor for different exposure times.

The invention relates to a dry free-flowing composite of a sub-micron polymer binder particles and interactive materials, and articles formed therefrom. The polymer particles are formed from a dilute latex polymer and blended with interactive materials, then the blend is spray-dried, to form a dry blend in which less than 10% of all polymer particles are in an agglomerated form. The polymer is preferably a polyvinylidene fluoride, such as Kyblock PVDF from Arkema. The dry blend will be used to form articles and coatings by many means, for example forming a three dimensional article by heat and pressure, it can be redispersed into an aqueous coating composition, or can be electro-coated onto a substrate.