Nick writes:
Three interesting shots attached. The full SEM photo shows the peculiar triangular feature that is somewhere between a pinhole and a rupture. The regularity is striking. We see that "bundles" of the filamentary anemonie or squid-like structures appear along the sides of the triangle.

The two EDS screen shots show a point scan of the composition of the triangular region, and the composition of the filament bundles. In a number of runs in the past, we had seen that the lighter halo'ed region around a rupture hole or pinhole would be iron rich, and would also be where a taller signal could be found for potential anomalous element spectra. In the case of this region, we see a signal that may be the L-alpha for Au, as well as a signal for Fe about 5-6 times higher than typical alloy background.

The signal for W is apparent, since the recipe for this bucket, the "Pixie 17" included potassium tungstate as an additive.

Au is always tricky, due to the potential for secondary signals coming off of SEM fixtures. Au and W also have spectral peaks that are close, although not a direct overlay. Thus, discernment of the gold as a genuine feature is still under scrutiny and thinkin'.

The other EDS shot, of the filament bundle, shows the squid tentacles in this case to be somewhat oxidized, but as I have seen in the past, also can contain some of the surprising element signals, in this case Ni looks pretty real.

Pixie 17 outer small squidhole 2300x 30kV 02.jpg

Pixie 17 outer small squidhole 330x 30kV 02.jpg

Pixie 17 outer small squidhole 250x 30kV.jpg