Filmless Sample Mounting for the Electron Microscope

Abstract

A method is described for supporting airborne particles upon thin glass fibers where they build up in chains and may be examined in the electron microscope. With no supporting membrane, the contrast and resolution are increased in the micrographs. The specimens are particularly useful for stereoscopic studies. A special reference is made to the study of carbon particles mounted in this fashion. The carbons examined are formed by pyrolysis of acetylene and occur naturally in pronounced chains. Reproducible particle size data for the carbons can be secured by measurements made on individual particles at ×200,000. Evidence for the crystalline nature of this carbon is rendered visible in the micrographs.