Secondary Electron Yield Curve for Liquid Water

Abstract We have measured the secondary electron yield curve for liquid water using an Environmental SEM. The secondary electron emission coefficient, measured as a function of incident electron energy, is important for interpreting contrast in hydrated biological and inorganic specimens. This information is even more critical for water than other materials, as it is a factor of prime importance in understanding radiation damage in biological tissues.[1] These measurements were taken using a Philips XL-30 field emission,ESEM, and repeated on an Electroscan E3 ESEM, equipped with a CeB6 filament. A specially designed Faraday cup was fashioned from brass and fitted with a removable graphite cup having an inset for a platinum aperture. This assembly was placed into an electrically floating Peltier cooling stage, and connected to a KE Instruments probe current meter.