The effect of radio-frequency sputter ion etching and ion-beam etching on biological material: a scanning electron microscope study

Mammalian and avian cells have been examined in the scanning electron microscope either after prior radio-frequency sputter ion etching with different ions (hydrogen, helium, argon, oxygen) or after argon ion bombardment in the SEM. Whilst the pattern of erosion is similar in the different specimens, the etching pattern varies with the different gases. It has not been possible to relate the etching patterns to characteristic subsurface structures.