microprobe
Miniature analytical instrument
A microprobe is an instrument that focuses a narrow beam—of electrons, ions, or X-rays—onto a tiny area of a sample to analyze its composition.
The technique allows scientists to examine materials at microscopic scales, identifying elements present in specific spots: The microprobe revealed trace amounts of gold in the mineral sample.
Common in geology, metallurgy, and materials science.
Negative subatomic particle
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- detectorDevice that senses
- beamStructural support member
- sampleSubset for study
analysis · characterization · elemental · mapping · examination · resolution · quantitative · surface
Billionth-meter dimension
Partial electrical conductor
- metallurgyScience of extracting metals
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
- nanotechnologyAtomic-scale manipulation science
geology · mineralogy · alloy · inclusion · phase · composition · defect · contamination
electron
Negative subatomic particle
- spectrometerMeasures electromagnetic radiation properties
- detectorDevice that senses
- beamStructural support member
sample · analysis · characterization · elemental · mapping · examination · resolution · quantitative · surface · laboratory
nanoscale
Billionth-meter dimension
focused · spatial · high-resolution · trace
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
- metallurgyScience of extracting metals
- thin-filmUltra-shallow material layer
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
nanotechnology · geology · mineralogy · alloy · inclusion · phase · composition · defect · contamination · forensic