I intend to map out the elemental composition of the concrete SEM images. I have information from sem/edx analysis such as the spectrum, weight% and atomic%. From my readings, is it true that I should calculate the Z contrast hence from the result, I can get the pixel intensity of each element presented in the sample?
The picture looks like low-mag SE or SE + BSE (some microscopes can use both detectors simultaneously) image. It is fundamentally impossible to convert it to an elements map. As Dr. Dusevich said, use EDS.
Good luck!
Hi Elly,
Mapping is a separate mode of analysis: EDX signal is collecting from a "grid" of points (usually less than full amount of pixels) on the scan. Then it is possible to mark each element by color, e.g. Fe - green, O - red, etc. There will be a SEM picture with a bunch of colored dots.
If you have just a scan with a table of composition, you cannot transform it to an elements map. The table consists only sum composition for the scan area.
Sometimes it is possible to speculate about elements distribution for BSE images (atomic weight), but it is just estimation and, obviously, it isn't EDX.
Good luck!
Thanks for the explanation!
I have another question, if I were to speculate the elements distribution for BSE images, it is valid for analysis purpose? I am going to perform image processing to the SEM images, presumably my final result will produce a quantitative elements mapping of the SEM image.
Do you have BSE images? If you do, it is possible to just estimate of heterogeneity of the surface composition - it looks like spots. It is just a rough qualitative estimation, not analysis. It is fundamentally impossible to produce "a quantitative elements mapping" with any processing of images.
If you want to have elements mapping, you have to do new SEM visualization of the samples in EDX-mapping mode.
Good luck!
In some special cases BSE quantification is possible. Such as for specimen consisting just of 2 elements or of known matrices and some additional stoichiometric component, such as hydroxyapatite (bone). Results could be not very reliable, but suitable for comparison studies. For this you need at least 3 pictures: one of your specimen and two of suitable standards for gray level calibration.
Article Mineralization Density and Apparent Density of Bone in Crani...
Article Multiscale alterations in bone matrix quality increased frag...
Thank you for the clarification! I wonder if this is SE or BSE image? I have read through several articles but just want to double confirm this matter. If this is SE image, would it be possible to study atomic imaging? Thanks!
It is SE image. No, you cannot use it for "atomic" imaging. In your case you cannot do it even with BSE image. Try EDS instead.
The picture looks like low-mag SE or SE + BSE (some microscopes can use both detectors simultaneously) image. It is fundamentally impossible to convert it to an elements map. As Dr. Dusevich said, use EDS.
Good luck!
- Badges
- Science topic