Masamichi Shiono

New Preparation Method using Ionic Liquid for Fast and Reliable SEM Observation of Biological Specimens

1. Tokyo Solution Lab., Hitachi High-Technologies Corp., KANAGAWA SCIENCEPARK, R&D BUSINESSPARK BLDG C-1F, 3-2-1, Sakado, Takatsu, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan 2. Hitachi High-Technologies Corp., 882, ichige, hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-8504, Japan 3. Miyoshi Oil & Fat CO., LTD. 4-66-1, Horikiri, Katushika, Tokyo 124-0006, Japan 4. Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan

Ionic Liquid Preparation for SEM Observation of Minute Crustacean

1. Tokyo Solution Lab., Hitachi High-Technologies Corp., KANAGAWA SCIENCEPARK, R&D BUSINESSPARK BLDG C-1F, 3-2-1, Sakado, Takatsu, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan 2. Hitachi High-Technologies Corp., 882, ichige, hitachinaka, Ibaraki 312-8504, Japan 3. Miyoshi Oil & Fat CO.,LTD. 4-66-1, Horikiri, Katushika, Tokyo 124-0006, Japan 4. Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan

Structural Analyses of a Spherulite Mineral Using SEM, CL, and EDX

Spherulites are polycrystalline textured bodies having a radial structure, and occur in polymers, inorganic salts, or rhyolites (volcanic rocks). Typical size of large spherulites in rhyolites is a few cm. However, SEM observation is necessary for detailed observation of smaller spherulites, because they are less than 100 μm. Large spherulite minerals are known to be made of fiber-formed crystals of Cristobalite (SiO2) and the plagioclase (NaAlSi3O8), but it is unknown whether smaller spherulites also have the same structure. A rhyolite sample collected from Yamagata City in northeastern Japan was prepared for this study. The rhyolite sample is known to contain spherulites having two-layer structure by polarized light microscopy. Fine structure of the spherulites was analyzed by SEM, EDX, and CL (Cathodoluminescence). Experimental procedure was as follows: (1) making a thin section of the rhyolite for polarized light microscopy, (2) polishing the thin section to obtain flat surface for SEM observation by an ion milling system, then, (3) observing the texture of the spherulites with a polarizing microscope and making further investigations with several SEMs. One main mineral in the spherulites, plagioclase, was analyzed by EDX. The EDX mapping is suitable for visualizing the distribution of the plagioclase in the spherulite, because the plagioclase includes characteristic elements such as Na or Al. On the other hand, another major mineral in the spherulites, Cristobalite, cannot be identified by EDX, because its components are common elements of rocks such as Si. Thus, the distribution of the Cristobalite was analyzed by the CL system. An UVD (Ultra Variable-Pressure Detector) attached to an SEM was used for CL measurements.