Off-Line Data Evaluation of Elemental Maps Obtained from Scanning Nuclear Microprobe Analyses

Authors

N. E. G. Lövestam, Palais du Louvre
E. Swietlicki, Lund Institute of Technology, Sweden

Abstract

The results of scanning nuclear microprobe (SNM) analyses are normally presented as elemental maps showing the number of detector events, acquired within a certain energy region, for every pixel irradiated. Such elemental maps can be misleading if they are interpreted as directly reflecting the variations in the elemental concentrations across the analysed sample. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how such elemental maps can be treated in order to facilitate the interpretation and extract the information contained in the data set, such as the covariation between elements. Examples of sample thickness correction, image processing and spectrum filtering as well as multivariate statistical data reduction are given.

Recommended Citation

Lövestam, N. E. G. and Swietlicki, E. (1992) "Off-Line Data Evaluation of Elemental Maps Obtained from Scanning Nuclear Microprobe Analyses," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 6: No. 3, Article 1.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol6/iss3/1