Electron irradiation changes in lipid layer systems

Abstract

The effect of electron irradiation on lipid layers was studied by electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis and infra-red absorption spectroscopy. By electron microscopy smaller layer spacings are found than by X-ray diffraction. This is shown to be due to the ionizing effect of the electron bombardment, which causes bond rupture, cross linking and loss of material in the molecules of the specimen. Such a disturbance of structure is unavoidable in conventional electron microscopy.