Why is it necessary to dehydrate the sample in conventional SEM imaging, and why is no drying needed with WETSEM® technology?
In traditional SEM , the sample is placed directly in high vacuum. A wet sample exposed to vacuum will lose its water in an uncontrolled dehydration process, which often distorts or destroys the structure of the sample. To preserve the structure in vacuum, the sample must be dehydrated in a controlled manner. The sample in the QX capsule is completely isolated from the vacuum and remains at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, there is no loss of water and no drying of the sample is needed.
