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An application of scanned focused ion beam milling to studies on the internal morphology of small arthropods
Author(s) -
YOUNG R. J.,
DINGLE T.,
ROBINSON K.,
PUGH P. J. A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1993.tb03396.x
Subject(s) - focused ion beam , mesostigmata , scanning electron microscope , materials science , morphology (biology) , ion milling machine , groove (engineering) , etching (microfabrication) , lamina , beam (structure) , optics , mite , ion , mineralogy , nanotechnology , composite material , chemistry , anatomy , biology , metallurgy , physics , organic chemistry , layer (electronics) , botany , genetics
Summary For the first time a scanned focused ion beam of approximately 50 nm diameter has been used to prepare biological material. Small defined areas of the surface were removed by ion etching to allow examination of the underlying structures with a scanning electron microscope. Different milling procedures were carried out on two anatomical features in mites of the genus Halarachne (Halarachnidae: Mesostigmata). In the first, square holes were milled into the surface of the peritrematal plate to reveal the structure of the underlying respiratory peritrematal groove. In the second, transverse cuts were made across the shafts of the sensory sensilli which make up the sensory Haller's organ on tarsus I. This latter procedure revealed detail both within the core and walls of sensilli. Details of specimen preparation and milling procedures, as well as suitability and interpretation of results, are presented.