Multidetector electron energy-loss spectrometer for time-resolved surface studies

The design, construction, and operation of a high-resolution electron energy-loss spectrometer incorporating a multidetector of 96 discrete anodes are described. In conjunction with temperature and pressure perturbations, this fast data-acquisition spectrometer allows studies of surface kinetics and reaction mechanisms by accumulating spectra in as fast as 2 ms. A comprehensive hardware and software system has been developed that permits experimental control and data acquisition with an LSI 11/23 microcomputer. A routine increase in data-acquisition speed of ≊10, when compared to a conventional electron energy-loss apparatus, has been achieved when the spectrometer is operated with 10–20-meV resolution.