In modern scanning electron microscopy, sample surface preparation is of key importance, just as it is in transmission electron microscopy. With the procedures for sample surface preparation provided in the present book, the enormous potential of advanced scanning electron microscopes can be realized fully. This will take the reader to an entirely new level of scanning electron microscopy and finely-detailed images never seen before.

Christopher Schirwitz's thesis focuses on improving the quality of in situ synthesized high-complexity peptide micro arrays. Micro arrays containing proteins or small protein fragments in the form of peptides have become of great interest in proteomic research. With the help of these microarrays a large number of potential target molecules can be screened for interaction with a probe in a short timeframe. However, protein and peptide micro arrays are still lagging behind oligonucleotide arrays in terms of density, quality and manufacturing costs. A new approach developed at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) has improved the synthesis of high-density peptide arrays. The current technology is capable of producing arrays with up to 40,000 different peptides per square cm by means of micro particle-based solid phase peptide synthesis. However, in situ synthesis approaches bear a conceptual disadvantage: The quality of the peptides is dependent on the efficiency of the synthesis so that peptide fragments are present in the resulting array among the desired full-length peptides. In peptide-protein interaction studies such peptide fragments. The central achievement of this thesis is the development of a new method allowing for the fast one-step purification of entire arrays without loss of resolution or spatial information. Christopher Schirwitz's work has resulted in a number of publications in high ranking journals.

To anyone who is interested in surface chemical analysis of materials on the nanometer scale, this book is prepared to give appropriate information. Based on typical application examples in materials science, a concise approach to all aspects of quantitative analysis of surfaces and thin films with AES and XPS is provided. Starting from basic principles which are step by step developed into practically useful equations, extensive guidance is given to graduate students as well as to experienced researchers. Key chapters are those on quantitative surface analysis and on quantitative depth profiling, including recent developments in topics such as surface excitation parameter and backscattering correction factor. Basic relations are derived for emission and excitation angle dependencies in the analysis of bulk material and of fractional nano-layer structures, and for both smooth and rough surfaces. It is shown how to optimize the analytical strategy, signal-to-noise ratio, certainty and detection limit. Worked examples for quantification of alloys and of layer structures in practical cases (e.g. contamination, evaporation, segregation and oxidation) are used to critically review different approaches to quantification with respect to average matrix correction factors and matrix relative sensitivity factors. State-of-the-art issues in quantitative, destructive and non-destructive depth profiling are discussed with emphasis on sputter depth profiling and on angle resolved XPS and AES. Taking into account preferential sputtering and electron backscattering corrections, an introduction to the mixing-roughness-information depth (MRI) model and its extensions is presented.

Due to its enormous sensitivity and ease of use, mass spectrometry has grown into the analytical tool of choice in most industries and areas of research. This unique reference provides an extensive library of methods used in mass spectrometry, covering applications of mass spectrometry in fields as diverse as drug discovery, environmental science, forensic science, clinical analysis, polymers, oil composition, doping, cellular research, semiconductor, ceramics, metals and alloys, and homeland security. The book provides the reader with a protocol for the technique described (including sampling methods) and explains why to use a particular method and not others. Essential for MS specialists working in industrial, environmental, and clinical fields.

This book, cohesively written by an expert author with supreme breadth and depth of perspective on polyurethanes, provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the science and technology on one of the most commonly produced plastics. Covers the applications, manufacture, and markets for polyurethanes, and discusses analytical methods, reaction mechanisms, morphology, and synthetic routes Provides an up-to-date view of the current markets and trend analysis based on patent activity and updates chapters to include new research Includes two new chapters on PU recycling and PU hybrids, covering the opportunities and challenges in both

The book focuses on advanced characterization methods for thin-film solar cells that have proven their relevance both for academic and corporate photovoltaic research and development. After an introduction to thin-film photovoltaics, highly experienced experts report on device and materials characterization methods such as electroluminescence analysis, capacitance spectroscopy, and various microscopy methods. In the final part of the book simulation techniques are presented which are used for ab-initio calculations of relevant semiconductors and for device simulations in 1D, 2D and 3D. Building on a proven concept, this new edition also covers thermography, transient optoelectronic methods, and absorption and photocurrent spectroscopy.