= Hydrocarbon contamination in electron microscopy
<Hydrocarbon contamination in electron microscopy> is carbonaceous material present on, or deposited onto, a specimen during examination. Material from specimen preparation or the chamber can accumulate in an irradiated region and alter the measured <electron> scattering or chemical signal.
A darkening patch that follows repeated scanning can therefore be a measurement-induced deposit rather than a pre-existing structure. Compare a repeatedly exposed field with a fresh neighboring field, and repeat at lower exposure if possible. Cleaning and suitable specimen handling reduce contamination, while such controls distinguish it from genuine specimen features or other forms of <electron beam damage>.
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