Synthesis and Real Structure Group

Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS)

Electron energy loss spectroscopy is a method which is used to specify the elemental components of a material. This is achieved by observing inelastic scattering. Inelastic scattering occurs when the electron beam interacts with the sample`s core shells such a way that some atoms of the sample are ionized. Because of this the exiting electron beam looses an energy amount which was needed to ionize the inner shell of the atom.

The ionization energy is specific for every element of the periodic system. Therefore an electron spectrometer is used to measure the energy losses. As a result the "energy loss" spectrum as a function of intensity is generated.