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Pottery excavated from the archeological UNESCO world heritage site Ban Chiang in Thailand stem from distinct periods. Black vessels with cord-mark design from Pre-metal Age (ca. 3000–1000 BC), Bronze Age pottery (ca 1000–300 BC) with yellow-brown surface and Iron Age samples (ca. 300 BC–200 AD) with red pictorial surface patterns. In a previous work [Bismayer U., Srilomsak S., Treekamol Y., Tanthanuch W., Suriyatham K. Artefacts from Ban Chiang, Thailand: pottery with hematite-red geometric patterns. Z. Kristallogr. 2020, 235, 559–568] we studied the mineralogical composition and their surface colour materials of shards from Bronze and Iron Age. In this work we focus on bulk features of the dark Pre-metal Age cord-marked ceramic shard PSN2-S10E13 and compare its elemental and mineralogical composition with bulk composition of sample 5412-S6E15 from Bronze Age. Experimental techniques are electron microprobe, X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, optical microscopy and X-ray tomographic microscopy (XTM). Sample PSN2-S10E13 contains more quartz than 5412-S6E15. In the bulk of the Pre-metal Age shard, diffraction signals of mullite occur, indicating higher firing temperatures compared to the younger sample. Phyllosilicate signals are seen in FTIR spectra of both shards. E-modes of quartz dominate FTIR spectra of both samples. Optical thin sections show voids around micro-particles in PSN2-S10E13 and XTM indicates that the pore volume percentage of sample PSN2-S10E13 is higher than in 5412-S6E15. Because of the large age gap to younger samples from Ban Chiang, the proper age of our oldest sample PSN2-S10E13 was determined using an accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) by simultaneous 14C/12C and 13C/12C isotope ratio measurements which yielded a radiocarbon age of 3609 ± 29 BP (resp. 1659 ± 29 BC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the field emission gun in scanning electron microscopy permits the imaging of sub-micrometer-size features. However, achieving sub-micrometer analytical spatial resolution in electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) requires both reducing the electron beam size and reducing the accelerating voltage to achieve the desired sub-micrometer interaction volume. The resulting quantification of the first-row transition metals at low accelerating voltage, i.e., below 7–8 kV, is problematic as the main characteristic X‑ray lines (Kα) cannot be excited at these conditions. Furthermore, the use of the Lα and Lβ soft X‑ray lines for quantification is complicated by bonding and self-absorption effects resulting in not-yet-determined mass absorption coefficients and hence in the failure of the traditional matrix correction procedure. We propose two methods to circumvent these low-kilovolt (low-kV) analysis limitations: using the non-traditional FeLℓ line and using universal calibration curves for the more traditional FeLα and Lβ lines. These methods were successfully applied to Fe-sulfide minerals showing accurate quantification results by EPMA at reduced kV, necessary for accurate quantification of sub-micrometer sulfide grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, dynamic behavior of vibratory microprobe is studied based on the strain gradient theory. The microprobe is considered as a piezoelectric actuator attached to a variable cross-section bar. The equation of motion is derived based on the strain gradient theory and solved both analytically and numerically. For analytical approach, a combination of mode summation and Galerkin's technique is used. Moreover, a hybrid finite element/finite difference method is used to calculate the numerical results. Findings show that there is an excellent agreement between the analytical and numerical results. Furthermore, the obtained natural frequencies and dynamic displacements of this work are compared with those of the classical theory and the effects of size dependency on the dynamic behavior of microprobe are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigated two originated metamorphosed harzburgites of the metaperidotite complex from the northern part of the Gishaki area. Harzburgite rocks, as main ultramafic complexes of the studied area, have outcrops in the scattered locations of the area. Harzburgitic units were discriminated using petrography and Raman spectroscopy. There are two meta-harzburgite types based on the metamorphic history of their protholites with different mineralogy types. Normal metamorphosed harzburgites (N-Hz) are metamorphosed via phases of retrograde processes and contact metamorphosed harzburgites (C-Hz) metamorphosed visa some different phases containing contact metamorphism. One of the best clues that are different in these two rock types is Antigorite mineral characteristics. Antigorite polymorphs have structural and chemical sensitive characteristics that can discriminate using Raman spectroscopy. It had certain specific chemical differentiation compared with other serpentine polymorphs especially in Silica and molecular water contents. Reviewed antigorites illustrated general differentiations in themselves so that polymorphs hosted by C-HZ rocks could be considered as a group with typical Contact antigorite by geochemical criteria such as lower molecular water, higher Octahedral content and, higher Silica content. An increase in Si and Fe2+ activities cause incurrences octahedral substitutions as temperaturedependent phenomena in Contact antigorites. Diagrams of Silica versus molecular water contents and octahedral contents clearly distinguished modified antigorites from former antigorite polymorphs. Contact antigorite in the Gishaki serpentinites could be considered as metamorphosed products related to metamorphic aureoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ban Chiang () is an extensively studied archeological site in Northeast Thailand, Udon Thani Province, which became a UNESCO world heritage in 1992. Depending on their production period ceramic artefacts show characteristic patterns at the surface which may be interpreted as iconographic motifs for the site. Two ceramic samples, excavated in 2003, from different periods were re-investigated, previously studied by Tanthanuch W., Pattanasiriwisawa W., Somphon W., Srilomsak S. Synchrotron studies of Ban Chiang ancient pottery. Suranaree J. Sci Technol. 2011, 18, 15–28 who focussed on thermal firing and redox-conditions. Shards selected for this study were sample 5412-S6E15 dated from Bronze Age (ca. 1000–300 BC) with yellow-brown, paint-free surface and a younger sample 8027 from Iron Age (ca. 300 BC–200 AD) with red painted design carrying pictorial patterns typical for the Ban Chiang ceramics. The surface material and colour of both shards was studied in detail using optical reflectance, FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. Thin sections were used to determine the thickness of the red paint and the elemental composition of the surface using an electron microprobe. Chemical composition of sample 5412-S6E15 consists as oxides of elements mainly of SiO2 and Al2O3 (representing ca. 59 and 20 wt. %) and that of the red colour of the youngest sample 8027 consists mainly of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 (representing ca. 52, 13 and 13 wt. %), the average composition adjacent to the red painted area has ca. 72 wt. % SiO2, ca. 10 wt. % Al2O3 and only 2 wt. % Fe2O3. X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy and optical reflectance measurements confirm hematite in the mineralogical composition of the red pigment of shard 8027. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present two new experimental arrangements designed to study time dependent processes during the irradiation of semiconductor detectors using ion microbeams. The first one is based on an upgraded pulsed beam irradiation setup of the RBI heavy ion microprobe. Controlled time-sequences of sample irradiation and intermediate IBIC probing is used to study dynamics of degradation of charge transport in detectors at different time scales. The second experimental arrangement is a dual ion microbeam irradiation setup that can accept simultaneously the ion beams from the two accelerators. In that case the first ion microbeam may be used as a damaging beam while the second one could be used as a probing beam. Probing techniques that have been used to study induced changes in crystalline materials are based on low microbeam currents and include STIM channeling, IBIC and IL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relatively recent entry of field emission electron microprobes into the field of microanalysis provides another tool for the study of small features of interest (e.g., mineral and melt inclusions, ex-solution lamellae, grain boundary phases, high-pressure experimental charges). However, the critical limitation for accurate quantitative analysis of these submicrometer- to micrometer-sized features is the relationship between electron beam potential and electron scattering within the sample. To achieve submicrometer analytical volumes from which X-rays are generated, the beam accelerating voltage must be reduced from 15-20 to ≤ 10 kV (often 5 to 7 kV) to reduce the electron interaction volume from ~3 to ~0.5 µm in common geological materials. At these low voltages, critical Kα X-ray lines of transition elements such as Fe are no longer generated, so L X-ray lines must be used. However, applying the necessary matrix corrections to these L lines is complicated by bonding and chemical peak shifts for soft X-ray transitions such as those producing the FeLα X-ray line. It is therefore extremely challenging to produce accurate values for Fe concentration with this approach. Two solutions have been suggested, both with limitations. We introduce here a new, simple, and accurate solution to this problem, using the common mineral olivine as an example. We also introduce, for the first time, olivine results from a new analytical device, the Extended Range Soft X-ray Emission Spectrometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitting corrosion of reinforcing steel bar (rebar) imbedded in concrete by chloride ions can cause concrete degradation. It is thus necessary to develop methods to mitigate concrete corrosion which could include using a protective polymer rebar coating. Corrosion studies of polyvinyl butyral‐carbon black polymer‐coated rebar using soft X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) microprobe and micro‐X‐ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (μ‐XANES) are reported in this study. After removal of the polyvinyl butyral‐carbon black polymer coating, Fe Lα1, Mn Lα1, and O Kα1 XRF maps were collected as well as Fe and Mn L3‐edge μ‐XANES spectra from different regions across the whole rebar surface by collection of total electron yield (TEY) and partial XRF yield (PFY) spectra. The distribution of metallic Fe and Fe corrosion products was determined by analysis of the Fe XRF map. The μ‐XANES spectra indicated a higher fraction of Fe (III) phases on the corroded rebar surface, while Fe (II/III) phases were the major corrosion products beneath the surface region. In addition, Mn (II) and Mn (III) were determined as the valence states of the manganese corrosion products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new calibration for the determination of the iron oxidation state in silicate glasses by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) with the “flank method.” This method is based on the changes in both intensity and wavelength of the FeLα and FeLβ X-ray emission lines with iron oxidation state. The flank method utilizes the maximum difference for the FeLα and FeLβ spectra observed at the peak flanks between different standard materials, which quantitatively correlates with the Fe2+ content. Provided that this correlation is calibrated on reference materials, the Fe2+/ΣFe ratio can be determined for samples with known total Fe content. Two synthetic Fe-rich ferric and ferrous garnet end-members, i.e., andradite and almandine, were used to identify the FeLα and FeLβ flank method measuring positions that were then applied to the measurement of a variety of silicate glasses with known Fe2+/ΣFe ratio (ranging from 0.2 to 1.0). The measured intensity ratio of FeLβ over FeLα at these flank positions (Lβ/Lα) is a linear function of the Fe2+content (in wt%). A single linear trend can be established for both garnets and silicate glasses with 4–18 wt% FeOT (total iron expressed as FeO). In glasses with up to 18 wt% FeOT and 15 wt% TiO2, no systematic compositional (matrix) effects were observed. A possible influence of Ti on the Fe2+ determination has only been observed in one high-Ti glass with ~25 wt% TiO2, a content that is not typical for natural terrestrial silicate melts. The accuracy of the Fe2+/ΣFe determination, which depends on both the Fe2+ content determined with the flank method and on the total Fe content, is estimated to be within ±0.1 for silicate glasses with FeOT > 5 wt% and within ±0.3 for silicate glasses with low FeOT ≤ 5 wt%. The application of the flank method on silicate glasses requires minimization of the EPMA beam damage that can be successfully achieved by continuous movement of the sample stage under the electron beam during analysis, e.g., with a speed of 2 μm/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A newly developed microprobe-based methodology (the Flank Method) for Fe3+/ΣFe quantification has been successfully applied to some natural garnets from the North Qilian eclogites by JEOL JXA-8100 microprobe at Peking University. The results demonstrated an obvious discrepancy in comparison with the outcomes by conventional stoichiometric calculations. This methodology allows to measure the Fe3+/ΣFe ratio and perform elemental analyses simultaneously in the same condition. Accurate in-situ measurement of Fe3+ content in garnet may bring certain impact on the garnet-based P-T estimation. According to the compositional zonation displayed in the studied eclogitic garnets from North Qilian, a prograde metamorphic PT path from 19.5 kbar, 520 °C to 22 kbar, 600 °C was reconstructed. More interestingly, the measured Fe3+/ΣFe ratios in garnets decreasing from core to rim may probably imply that the oxygen fugacity (fO 2) declines with the depth of the subduction zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the integrated circuit (IC) industry, testing of IC chips is becoming more and more important. A chip probe final test is an important means of final chip testing, which makes use of contacts between probes and bumps on the chip for electrical connections of the test instrument and the chip, through which the electrical characteristics of the chip are tested one by one. The IC final test is directly completed on the entire packaging wafer before the packaging wafer is cut into single die. This complete testing of the whole wafer before dicing can greatly improve the efficiency of the final test. The precise alignment of probe and chip bumps is an important aspect of the final test process. In this paper, image processing is carried out based on the rectangular frame of the chip surface, for which the rectangular box image-processing algorithm is designed. The chip image showing the deflection angle is acquired, and the offset distance is calculated. The rectangular box algorithm based on the principle of the Hough transform detects the orientation that is used to determine the offset of the rectangular frame. The detection accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm is evaluated, and it is shown that the image-processing algorithm of the chip alignment is improved significantly. An efficient automatic probe final test of packaging wafers can finally be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to investigate the electrical characteristics of microprobe in integrated circuit testing, a wafer probe admittance testing system with motion control and admittance measurement instruments was organized by using pogo microprobe whose impedance characteristics are automatically measured and analyzed. The probe’s admittance characteristics under different loading frequency were explored based on voltammetry. The results show that the probe was resistive when loading frequency was less than 100 kHz, and being inductive when the frequency was larger than 100 kHz. Furthermore, the probe’s admittance was the least when the frequency was between 200 and 400 kHz. Meanwhile, the conductivity of tipped needle is smaller than claw pin when the frequency is between 1 and 500 kHz, whereas the susceptance and resistance of tipped needle is larger than claw pin, which mainly due to the change of contact between probe and the solder. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this work the change in the surface topography of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) due to irradiation with 10.5 MeV N 4 + ion microbeam is investigated. Parallel stripes with different widths and different gaps between the stripes were irradiated. The heavy ion beam induced physical and chemical processes caused shrinkage of the irradiated structures. The degree of compaction, and its relation to the irradiation fluence and pattern was studied by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Exploiting the compaction effect, arrays of microlenses with different diameters were designed and fabricated in PDMS. We show that regular microlenses can be produced by the adjustment of their size and irradiation fluence. The focal length of the lenses can be tuned with the diameter of the lens and with the delivered ion fluence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that secondary magnetite is common in serpentinites, it is clear that serpentinites are oxidized rocks. Questions remain, however, concerning the distribution of ferric iron among magnetite and serpentine minerals and the role of ferric iron-rich serpentine in the formation of secondary magnetite. Direct determination of ferric iron in serpentine is not possible using an electron microprobe. We show, however, that the stoichiometic effects of ferric iron substitutions are detectable, although not quantifiable, by microprobe. First, we demonstrate that for studies that provide both microprobe analyses of major elements of serpentine and Mössbauer analysis of ferric iron, substitution effects are obvious. Next, it is equally clear that the early veins forming at the onset of olivine hydration (type 1 veins) show no indication of the presence of ferric serpentine, although a small amount of ferric ‘brucite’ may occur. Finally, we show that secondary (type 2) veins, which form as the system becomes open to fluids in equilibrium with plagioclase or pyroxene, contain, in addition to significant alumina, stoichiometric indications of ferric iron substitution. The serpentine in these veins is magnesian, usually with Mg#s around 96–98. Thus, even if a significant proportion of this iron is ferric, it comprises only a small fraction of the total ferric iron budget of the rock. Given that reduced iron is known to be abundant in early-formed brucite and early-formed serpentine and given that brucite, in particular, is absent from evolved serpentine veins, we propose that most magnetite in serpentinites forms as a tertiary product via oxidation of brucite. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Potential human health and environmental issues associated with aerosol release as a result of biomass pyrolysis have received a widespread attention. Accurate aerosol sampling at source can help to unravel the complex mechanisms involved. This paper describes a novel aerosol microprobe sampling system combined with a smoking cycle simulator and a differential mobility spectrometer (microprobe-SCS-DMS) for spatially resolved in-situ characterization of aerosol release inside a heated tobacco product. A purposely made microprobe was accurately positioned to sample the aerosol generated at different positions within the heated distillation and pyrolysis zone. The aerosol particle behaviour at source was studied under a combined heating and air-flow cycle. Detailed measurements on the aerosol formed from both the axial and radial directions inside the heated tobacco rod were obtained, including the aerosol particle size distribution, particle number concentration, and particle volume concentration during external air flow perturbation. The results provided detailed information on the formation, diffusion, transfer and filtration of the aerosol which would otherwise not be possible. The microprobe-SCS-DMS system described in this work could be useful for other similar challenges involving aerosol in-situ characterization. • A novel aerosol microprobe sampling system was combined with a fast particulate spectrometer. • Spatially resolved in-situ characterization of aerosol release inside a heated tobacco product was obtained. • In-situ aerosol mapping provided detailed information on the formation of aerosol during tobacco distillation and pyrolysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A motor-based microprobe is proposed using a tubular microengine powered by bio-assembled enzyme as catalyst and exploited for washing-free detection of DNA through motion readout. The microprobe is fabricated by assembling a catalase layer on the inner surface of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/Au (PEDOT/Au) microtube through DNA conjugate, which is responsible for the biocatalytic bubble propulsion. The sensing concept of the microprobe relies on the target-induced release of catalase through the DNA strand-replacement hybridization, which decreases the amount of enzyme assembled on microtube to slow down the movement of the microprobe. Therefore, the motion speed is negatively correlated with the target concentration. At the optimal conditions, the microprobe can conveniently distinguish the concentration of specific DNA in a range of 0.5–10 µM without any washing and separation step. This microprobe can be prepared in batch with good reproducibility and stability, and its motion speed can be conveniently visualized by optical microscope. The proposed motor-based microprobe and its dynamic sensing method provide a novel platform for the development of intelligent microprobe and clinical diagnostic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop integrated circuit (IC) testing, a new system was suggested using a microprobe array, a four-wire tester, machine vision, and motion control technology. The microprobe array can be automatically aligned with the IC die by an image-processing program in the system. It was found that the operating efficiency of the algorithm was improved by six times by extracting the rectangular edge contour. Several image-processing methods were combined and optimized to calculate the deflection angle, and the linear fitting method was improved. Inaccurate fitting was eliminated by the modified fitting method, and the alignment error was significantly reduced. Although IC electrodes were precisely aligned with the microprobe tips, the compressive displacement of the microprobe also has a greater influence on the electrical testing. The testing resistance was not a stable value until the compressive displacement exceeded 100 \mu \textm . Finally, the effectiveness of the microprobe automatic testing approach was confirmed. The open circuits of the ICs can be detected, and the resistance of the circuits, which are not open circuits, can be automatically measured and evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Microscale temperature sensing using a fabricated novel vertical silicon microprobe array was investigated for the first time using a combined simulation and experimental technique. In this context, silicon microprobes were designed with 3 μm in diameter and 30 μm in height. These high-aspect-ratio probes are found to be effective in microscale multisite temperature sensing. The designed microprobes (p-type) were fabricated in < 111 > out-of-plane orientation using vapor–liquid-solid (VLS) technique on n-type silicon substrate. The temperature dependent shift in the rectifying current–voltage (I–V) curves of the embedded p–n diode was experimentally determined and the temperature sensitivity of diode was found to be − 2.3 mV/K at 0.1 μA. A complete 3-D model of the microprobe was created and finite element (FE) method was applied to compute the sensing capability by capturing temperature distribution taking anisotropic and phonon scattering effects on thermal conductivity of silicon into account. The obtained computational result on microscale temperature sensitivity has shown a similar trend of experimental findings. FE simulation thus can serve as a tool to a-priori predict temperature sensing capabilities of microprobes used in many applications such as artificial electronic fingertips of robotic hand/prosthetics, biological soft samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microprobe system has been installed on the nanoprobe/XAFS beamline (BL8C) at PLS-II, South Korea. Owing to the reproducible switch of the gap of the in-vacuum undulator (IVU), the intense and brilliant hard X-ray beam of an IVU can be used in X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) experiments. For high-spatial-resolution microprobe experiments a Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror system has been used to focus the millimeter-sized X-ray beam to a micrometer-sized beam. The performance of this system was examined by a combination of micro-XRF imaging and micro-XAFS of a beetle wing. These results indicate that the microprobe system of the BL8C can be used to obtain the distributions of trace elements and chemical and structural information of complex materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is devoted to the conceptual design of a compact high-voltage scanning ion microscope (HVSIM). In an HVSIM design, the ion optical system is based on a high-brightness ion source. Specifically, the ion optical system is divided into two components: an ion injector and a probe-forming system (PFS) that consists of an accelerating tube and a multiplet of quadrupole lenses. The crossover is formed and controlled by the injector, which acts as an object collimator, and is focused on the image plane by the PFS. The ion microprobe has a size of 0.1 μm and an energy of 2 MeV. When the influence of the chromatic and third-order aberrations is theoretically taken into account, the HVSIM forms an ion microprobe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular ion-implanted silicon detector of α-particles with a large, 5-cm 2 , sensitive area has been developed. An advantage of the detector is that the detector surface is easily cleanable with chemicals. The hardened surface of the detector shows no signs of deterioration of the spectroscopic and electrical characteristics upon repeated cleaning. The energy resolution along the diameters of the detector was (1.0±0.1)% for the 5.486-MeV α-particles. Detailed tests of the charge collection efficiency and uniformity of the detector entrance window were also performed with a 5.5-MeV He 2+ microbeam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron surface concentrations and profile maps were measured on the enamel of archaeological and modern teeth to determine how iron is deposited in tooth enamel and if it was affected by the post-mortem environment. Teeth from Australian children who died in the second half of the 19th century were compared with contemporary teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes. Surface analysis of the teeth was performed using the 3 MV Van Der Graff Accelerator at The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Sydney, Australia. A small sample of teeth were then cut in the mid sagittal plane and analysed using ANSTO High Energy Heavy Ion Microprobe. Maps and linear profiles were produced showing the distribution of iron across the enamel. Results show that both the levels and distribution of iron in archaeological teeth is quite different to contemporary teeth, raising the suggestion that iron has been significantly altered by the post-mortem environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Structural changes of ion-irradiated polymers can be visualized by wet chemical etching. In this process, the latent tracks can be developed into pores of various shapes and sizes. To nondestructively determine the 3D structure (spatial density distribution) of an individual pore, a new approach, utilizing energy loss spectroscopy of ions transmitted through a pore and its vicinity has been tested. To evaluate the density alterations in the pore, a new Monte Carlo simulation code was developed. The code calculates residual energy of ions passing through the pore of a selected shape and compares the data with the measured energy spectra. The best fit determines the appropriate geometrical parameters of the pore. In the paper, details of a tomographic examination of a single pore in a thin polymer foil are presented and discussed for the first time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to investigate the performance of microprobe in integrated circuit (IC) testing, a novel testing system with four-wire cable tester and contact force sensor is deployed using high-density microprobes whose resistance and contact force are automatically measured and saved using LabVIEW. The testing resistance is statistically analyzed for DE1-030EB40-010 type probes with adjusted testing parameters. The results show that the displacement effect is significant for resistance testing. In addition, the testing resistance is not a stable and small value until the displacement exceeds 300 \mum. Furthermore, the velocity of microprobe varying from 25 to 40 mm/s leads to a minimum deviation. The life cycle testing experiments indicate that some microprobe life cycles are >200\,000~times, whereas other life cycles are only 70000 times. It is also found that the contact force is decreased with the increase of life cycles, whereas the decreased contact force results in poor contact between microprobe and IC, which in turn affects the life cycle of the microprobe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The application of ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques to thin biological sections (ThBS) presents unique challenges in sample preparation, data acquisition and analysis. These samples are often the end product of expensive, time-consuming experiments, which involve many steps that require careful attention. Analysis via several techniques can maximise the information that is collected from these samples. Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and Rutherford backscattering (RBS) spectroscopy are two generally non-destructive IBA techniques that use the same MeV ions and can be performed simultaneously. The use of heavy ion PIXE applied to thick samples has, in the past, resulted in X-ray spectra of a poorer quality when compared to those obtained with proton beams. One of the reasons for this is the shorter probing depth of the heavy ions, which does not affect thin sample analysis. Therefore, we have investigated and compared 3-MeV proton and 36-MeV carbon ion beams on 7-μm thick mouse brain sections at the ANSTO Heavy ion microprobe (HIMP). The application of a 36-MeV C4+ ion beam for PIXE mapping of ThBS on thin Si3N4 substrate windows produced spectra of high quality that displayed close to a nine-times gain in signal yield (Z 2/q) when compared to those obtained for 3-MeV protons for P, S, Cl and K but not for Fe, Cu and Zn. Image quality was overall similar; however, some elements showed better contrast and features with protons whilst others showed improved contrast with a carbon ion beam. RBS spectra with high enough counting statistics were easily obtained with 3-MeV proton beams resulting in high resolution carbon maps, however, the count rate for nitrogen and oxygen was too low. The results demonstrate that on thin samples, 36-MeV C4+ will produce good quality PIXE spectra in less time; therefore, carbon ions may be advantageous depending on which element is being studied. However, these advantages may be outweighed by the inherent disadvantages including increased ion beam damage, the necessity of very high ion energies resulting in higher neutron fields. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the upgrade of the epifluorescence microscope of the GSI heavy-ion microprobe with a galvo-scanned, 488nm laser diode. The laser is focussed into the object plane by the water-immersion objective resulting in a focal spot size of about 1μm. To increase temporal and spatial resolution a water-immersion objective with a high numerical aperture is integrated into the custom-build microscope. The upgraded system can now be used to bleach GFP-tagged proteins recruited to DNA damage induced by targeted single-ion irradiation. The system is demonstrated on NIH 3T3 cells with Ku80-GFP ion-targeted in heterochromatic and euchromatic DNA. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) is shown to be significantly slower in heterochromatin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report on a new FPGA based data acquisition system developed for the CSIRO Nuclear Microprobe (NMP) which is tightly integrated with both target positioning and beam transport. The data acquisition system called MicrodaQ is based on National Instruments Labview FPGA and numerous instrumentation modules spread over several PC’s. Beam transport uses a feedback control loop to optimise current on target for long unmanned experiments. These upgrades are discussed in detail and an example of the systems use for μ-Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) analysis on a Doriri apatite is briefly described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A cost-effective and removable external beam system is set up based on the Oxford Microbeam system in Fudan University. In our external beam system, 7.5-μm-thick Kapton film is used as exit window with a diameter of 3.5mm. The spatial resolution is about 18μm full width at half maximum (FWHM) on a copper grid. As an example, calcium distribution in otolith is present by the external micro-PIXE. In addition, little change can be done to the external system mentioned above for radiobiology experiments. The exit window can be changed from the focal plane to the observation window of vacuum chamber. By calculation, the beam spot size can reach less than 30μm. Since the Oxford type octagonal target chamber is popular among the nuclear microprobe facilities, this method can be provided to easily replace the in-vacuum system with the external system, extending the in-vacuum analysis to external beam analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) as one of the standard techniques of ion beam analysis for non-destructive quantification of film thicknesses and elemental concentrations, in general requires a good mass separation and energy resolution. In nuclear microprobes large solid angles of detection of ∼100msr are necessary to compensate for the comparably low beam current. However, under these conditions geometrical straggling effects cannot be neglected anymore. Therefore, in order to optimize the RBS detection setup, the geometrical straggling was calculated for circular detectors and the noise contributions to the signal generation and amplification analyzed. The analysis shows that an annular RBS detector should be used directly connected to a dedicated in-vacuum preamplifier. In this way, as is demonstrated in this study with preamplifiers based on an Amptek A250 in a very compact, reliable and low-cost package, excellent energy resolutions of (10.6±0.2)keV FWHM can be achieved in 2.29MeV proton RBS for a 300mm2 Canberra PIPS detector mounted under 86msr solid angle. For smaller detectors even better energy resolutions are obtained, i.e. (5.1±0.2)keV for a 50mm2 Canberra PIPS and (5.8±0.2)keV for a Hamamatsu S1223-01 PIN-photodiode detector for 2.29MeV proton RBS and Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transport resistance of reactant gases in the membrane of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) was investigated by measuring the mass transport amount of gas species with microprobes inserted along the membrane thickness direction. The diffusion resistance inside the membrane and the interfacial transport resistance including dissolution resistance were separately evaluated by combining experiments and a theoretical model. It was found that diffusion resistance decreased with an increase in gas humidity and temperature. The measurement technique using the microprobe is a useful tool for understanding the gas transport phenomena in the membrane.The authors acknowledge fruitful discussions with Dr. Atsushi Ohma. Part of this work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from MEXT/JSPS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The first example of synchrotron X-ray fluorescence imaging of cultured mammalian cells in cyclic peptide research is reported. The study reports the first quantitative analysis of the incorporation of a bromine-labelled cyclic RGD peptide and its effects on the biodistribution of endogenous elements (for example, K and Cl) within individual tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microfocus X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy beamline (BL-16) at the Indian synchrotron radiation facility Indus-2 has been constructed with an experimental emphasis on environmental, archaeological, biomedical and material science applications involving heavy metal speciation and their localization. The beamline offers a combination of different analytical probes, e.g. X-ray fluorescence mapping, X-ray microspectroscopy and total-external-reflection fluorescence characterization. The beamline is installed on a bending-magnet source with a working X-ray energy range of 4-20 keV, enabling it to excite K-edges of all elements from S to Nb and L-edges from Ag to U. The optics of the beamline comprises of a double-crystal monochromator with Si(111) symmetric and asymmetric crystals and a pair of Kirkpatrick-Baez focusing mirrors. This paper describes the performance of the beamline and its capabilities with examples of measured results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A cost-effective and removable external beam system is set up based on the Oxford Microbeam system in Fudan University. In our external beam system, 7.5-μm-thick Kapton film is used as exit window with a diameter of 3.5mm. The spatial resolution is about 18μm full width at half maximum (FWHM) on a copper grid. As an example, calcium distribution in otolith is present by the external micro-PIXE. In addition, little change can be done to the external system mentioned above for radiobiology experiments. The exit window can be changed from the focal plane to the observation window of vacuum chamber. By calculation, the beam spot size can reach less than 30μm. Since the Oxford type octagonal target chamber is popular among the nuclear microprobe facilities, this method can be provided to easily replace the in-vacuum system with the external system, extending the in-vacuum analysis to external beam analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Patients with obesity often suffer pain and risks arising from complications in their pursuit for a trimmer figure. Therefore, an effective and safe treatment for obesity is urgently needed. In this paper, we propose a novel minimally invasive way to treat the target obesity tissues via alternative cooling and heating produced by a microprobe. The validity of the method was evaluated through both numerical simulation and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. Theoretical prediction presents the significant effect of typical surgery and assesses the influence of various temperature boundary conditions on the microprobe to obtain the ideal therapeutic effect. An estimation standard was also established on the basis of cryolipolysis and hyperthermia. The DSC test confirms physical and chemical changes in cells during the cooling and heating process. The treatment planning will be varied with operational target, such as longer or shorter treatment time, one or multiple probes, etc. The 3D reconstruction employing MATLAB shows a simulated destruction area. This work is expected to serve as the foundation for identifying a new cure for obesity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Single event transient (SET) pulse shapes caused by Au ions with an energy of 946 MeV were measured at the microprobe facility at GSI in Darmstadt. Using on-chip sense amplifiers, our novel approach allows observing SET pulse shapes at any interesting circuit node with negligible distortion. We were hence able to accurately trace the propagation of SET pulses through a 90 nm CMOS inverter chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Potential profile in PEFC electrolyte membrane has been investigated by using microprobe technique in order to help understand membrane degradation mechanism. In particular, potential distribution in the membrane under several operation conditions has been measured by using microprobes inserted in the membrane. A theoretical model has been developed to predict the potential distribution under different cell current density with cells of different rib/channel width. The model showed good agreement with experimental result. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Synchrotron based photoemission electron microscopy with energy filter combines real space imaging with microprobe diffraction (μ-ARPES), giving access to the local electronic structure of laterally inhomogeneous materials. We present here an overview of the capabilities of this technique, illustrating selected applications of angle resolved photoemission electron microscopy and related microprobe methods. In addition, we report the demonstration of a darkfield XPEEM (df-XPEEM) imaging method for real space mapping of the electronic structure away from Γ at a lateral resolution of few tens of nm. The application of df-XPEEM to the (1×12)-O/W(110) model oxide structure shows the high sensitivity of this technique to the local electronic structure, allowing to image domains with inequivalent adsorption site symmetry. Perspectives of angle-resolved PEEM are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The interfacial structure of all-polyethylene laminate (linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)/deuterated polyethylene (D-PE)) was investigated using different microprobe methods, scanning thermal microscopy (SThM), and confocal laser nano-Raman spectroscopy. By scanning the thermal probe under isothermal conditions over a cross section of the laminate film, a high-contrast image of apparent thermal conductivity at the interfacial region was obtained even for the flat height region observed using an atomic force micrograph. The apparent thermal conductivity and the Raman intensity gradually change across the tapered interfacial region between the two PEs. The interfacial thickness was estimated to be in the micrometer-order depending on the thermal treatment of the laminate film. Additionally, the peel strength of the LLDPE/D-PE laminate increased as the interfacial thickness increased. This suggests that both the LLDPE and D-PE molecular chains were entangled with each other, and/or both crystalline lamellae were in an interlocking state during thermal treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Microprobe analyses of antigorite show that (Al+Cr) and inferred Fe3+ correlate inversely with Si apfu in a Tschermaks substitution. This observation suggests that the uptake of Fe3+ is not simply related to fO2. For Si = 1.95 apfu estimated Fe3+ = 0.032 apfu (or 0.95 wt% Fe2O3). Such estimates of Fe3+ require high analytical accuracy and precision, and assume a fixed polysomatic formula (e.g., m = 17) and freedom from interlayer sheet-silicate impurities. In many cases the estimates appear to be high. An alternative measure of Fe3+ is provided by the partitioning of total Fe and Mg between antigorite and olivine in well-equilibrated natural antigorite-olivine-magnetite parageneses. Extrapolation of Nernst and Roozeboom partition plots to Fe-free olivine permits an estimate of the Fe3+ content of the average antigorite in this paragenesis, namely 0.42 or 0.64 wt% Fe2O3). The partition estimates are in good agreement with the results of Mössbauer spectroscopy performed here on 14 antigorites from metaperidotites, together with four from the literature. These spectra reveal a range of 0.16 to 1.94 in wt% Fe2O3) in metaperidotite antigorite, with an average of 0.83. In two olivine-bearing rocks, antigorite has Fe3+/∑Fe ratios of 0.13 and 0.15, which corresponds to wt% Fe2O3) = 0.47 and 0.54, respectively. Larger amounts of Fe2O3) occur in some, but not all, vein antigorites. The prograde formation of antigorite in serpentinite from lizardite is accompanied by loss of some cronstedtite component and the precipitation of additional magnetite. The Roozeboom Mg/Fe partition plot is concave down rather than up; in other words the partition coefficient KD is a function of the XMg of olivine. This behavior has been found in other olivine- mineral pairs. It can be interpreted to reflect strongly non-ideal solution behavior of MgFe- olivine at low temperatures, viz. WG ≈ 8.5 kJ assuming a symmetrical solution. MgFe-brucite appears to be similarly non-ideal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, using an experimental technique based on small-span bending, the friction behaviors of ultrathin Pt wires with the tungsten microprobes have been reported. In the technique, friction force for sliding of a simply supported wire under bending load applied by closely positioned two opposite probes is measured by a microforce sensor. The force sensor is a capacitive detection type double-beam passive cantilever. Specificity of the microforce sensor provides the technological advantage for precise measurement of friction and normal contact forces sequentially under the observation by a high-resolution digital microscope. Static and kinetic frictions due to externally applied force, internal adhesive force and relative motion are successfully determined. Furthermore, the measured friction in wire-probe contact is used in the determination of the mechanical properties of the wire material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Rocks are widely represented in cultural heritage materials. They constitute the major part of archaeological artefacts like stone carvings, tools and weapons, and are present in art works in various forms, such as precious stone inlays or paint pigments. The study of such geomaterials, which are usually constituted of a complex aggregate of mineral phases, aims at determining their exact nature, their provenance and at understanding their possible alteration. Since minerals are often composed of light elements, IBA techniques such as PIXE and PIGE, thanks to their ability to measure with high sensitivity elements down to lithium, should be well adapted to their analysis. However, the bulk composition classically obtained using macro-IBA on pelletized samples or using a broad beam hides the multi-phased nature of the rocks and considerably blurs the searched chemical fingerprint. In contrast, the small size of a nuclear microprobe allows imaging the chemical composition at a finer scale and, when implemented in air, appears ideally suited to analyse without sampling these often precious items. This paper illustrates chemical micro-imaging of rocks with examples performed with the AGLAE external nuclear microprobe: characterisation of microscopic inclusions in gems and detailed chemical mapping of rocks with special emphasis to lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli is of particular interest in both archaeology and art history: after being employed in Asia since the 7th millennium BC to make carvings and beads, it was used in Medieval Europe as a precious blue painting pigment known as ultramarine. The chemical imaging of major and trace elements in lapis lazuli using external μ-PIXE has permitted to identify its mineral phases, to assign their trace elements and to evidence undetected elements. In combination with μ-XRD and μ-Raman spectrometry, this approach provides a clear mineralogical fingerprint useful to determine rock provenance and to authenticate artefacts of unknown origin. These encouraging results call for the generalization of this non-destructive approach to the study of other heterogeneous materials in art and archaeology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Electrodes on planar type microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microprobes mainly record neurons on the top-side of probe shaft (called a top-side electrode). However, it is often necessary to record neurons other than those on the top-side of the probe shaft. This study uses the glass reflowing technique to embed silicon-vias in a glass probe to implement a microprobe capable of recording neurons around the shaft. The proposed technology makes it possible to fabricate, distribute, and integrate four types of electrodes on the shaft: top-side, back-side, double-side, and sidewall electrodes. These electrodes have different recording characteristics. The in vitro and in vivo (using crayfish and rat brain) experiments in this study shows that the top-side and back-side electrodes are respectively more sensitive to neurons on the top-side and back-side of the probe shaft. In contrast, signals recorded by double-side electrode and sidewall electrode are equally sensitive to neurons around the probe shaft. This study enables the implementation and integration of these four types of electrodes, meeting the requirements of various neural applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Kamchatka Peninsula is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. Many Holocene explosive eruptions have resulted in widespread dispersal of tephra-fall deposits. The largest layers have been mapped and dated by the 14C method. The tephra provide valuable stratigraphic markers that constrain the age of many geological events (e.g. volcanic eruptions, palaeotsunamis, faulting, and so on). This is the first systematic attempt to use electron microprobe (EMP) analyses of glass to characterize individual tephra deposits in Kamchatka. Eighty-nine glass samples erupted from 11 volcanoes, representing 27 well-identified Holocene key-marker tephra layers, were analysed. The glass is rhyolitic in 21 tephra, dacitic in two, and multimodal in three. Two tephra are mixed with glass compositions ranging from andesite/dacite to rhyolite. Tephra from the 11 eruptive centres are distinguished by their glass K2O, CaO, and FeO contents. In some cases, individual tephra from volcanoes with multiple eruptions cannot be differentiated. Trace element compositions of 64 representative bulk tephra samples erupted from 10 volcanoes were analysed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) as a pilot study to further refine the geochemical characteristics; tephra from these volcanoes can be characterized using Cr and Th contents and La/Yb ratios. Unidentified tephra collected at the islands of Karaginsky (3), Bering (11), and Attu (5) as well as Uka Bay (1) were correlated to known eruptions. Glass compositions and trace element data from bulk tephra samples show that the Karaginsky Island and Uka Bay tephra were all erupted from the Shiveluch volcano. The 11 Bering Island tephra are correlated to Kamchatka eruptions. Five tephra from Attu Island in the Aleutians are tentatively correlated with eruptions from the Avachinsky and Shiveluch volcanoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this contribution we present multi-channel microinjector arrays fabricated by a reliable three-layer SU-8 process for the local delivery of specific substances into brain tissue. They are designed to be assembled with previously developed, implantable biosensor microprobes for the detection of the neurotransmitter l-glutamate . This combination allows simultaneous chemical stimulation or inhibition of neuronal activity and the monitoring of neurochemical substances in real time. Dimensions down to 150μm×150μm for the cross-section of a 6mm long single microinjector could be realised, substantially minimising brain damage during implantation. Real-time measurements in the prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum of the rats brain demonstrate (a) the successful in vivo calibration of the biosensor responding to injections of small volumes of the neurotransmitter glutamate in its local vicinity and (b) recorded glutamate release due to stimulation with concentrated potassium solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A prototype matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer has been used for high-speed ion image acquisition. The instrument incorporates a Nd:YLF solid state laser capable of pulse repetition rates up to 5 kHz and continuous laser raster sampling for high-throughput data collection. Lipid ion images of a sagittal rat brain tissue section were collected in 10 min with an effective acquisition rate of roughly 30 pixels/s. These results represent more than a 10-fold increase in throughput compared with current commercially available instrumentation. Experiments aimed at improving conditions for continuous laser raster sampling for imaging are reported, highlighting proper laser repetition rates and stage velocities to avoid signal degradation from significant oversampling. As new high spatial resolution and large sample area applications present themselves, the development of high-speed microprobe MALDI imaging mass spectrometry is essential to meet the needs of those seeking new technologies for rapid molecular imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]