Radiation damage in electron microscopy of organic materials: effect of low temperatures

J Microsc. 1975 Dec;105(3):269-76. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1975.tb04059.x.

Abstract

As measured by the life-time of their electron diffraction patterns, the radiation sensitivity of anthracene and coronene at 500 kV is reduced by a factor of three to four at liquid helium temperature in comparison to room temperature, For l-valine the ratio is about 1-8 but there is a wide variation in the results, possibly due to differences in crystal thickness. The end-dose at 20 degrees K for valine is equivalent to 13 electrons/A2; for anthracene and coronene it is about 600 electrons/A2 at room temperature. The variation of end-dose with temperature shows that at least two mechanisms must be involved in damage to such compounds, possibly concerning the breaking of intermolecular and intramolecular bonds, respectively.

MeSH terms

  • Anthracenes / radiation effects*
  • Cold Temperature*
  • Microscopy, Electron*
  • Polycyclic Compounds / radiation effects*
  • Radiation Effects*
  • Valine / radiation effects

Substances

  • Anthracenes
  • Polycyclic Compounds
  • Valine