Extended fine structure on the carbon core-ionization edge obtained from nanometer-sized areas with electron-energy-loss spectroscopy

Extended fine structure, equivalent to extended x-ray-absorption fine structure, has been observed on carbon K-ionization edges obtained with electron energy-loss spectroscopy utilizing 0.75- to 5-nm radius probe sizes, and sampling as few as 104 atoms in times as short as 4 min. Radial distribution functions show the expected behavior for graphite and an amorphous carbon sample. A second "amorphous" sample, however, shows structure which suggests the existence of local tetrahedral coordination. © 1979 The American Physical Society.