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The McCrone Particle Atlas

The Particle Atlas is an exhaustive description of small particles and the skills necessary to master identification in your own laboratory at your microscope. It is the final product, in two editions, of research commenced under the direction of Dr. Walter C. McCrone with grants made by the National Institute of Health (NIH) to McCrone Research Institute in Chicago and was the first research activity undertaken by the Institute upon its incorporation in 1960. The first edition was published in 1967. The second edition appeared in six volumes from 1973-1979, and the electronic edition was published by McCrone Research Institute in 1992.

Widely recognized, The Particle Atlas is both a unique database of identifying information on all major classes of particulate material and an outstanding reference on analytical microscopy. Particles are described according to individual optical and morphological properties and are revealed by polarized light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, electron diffraction, X-Ray and fluorescence spectroscopy. Thousands of optical and electron micrographs are included for visual reference. The text explains detailed procedures for microscope set-up, sample preparation and analysis.

The Particle Atlas 1st Edition:

The premier atlas of microscopic particles, this single volume first edition of The Particle Atlas has 512 full-color photomicrographs of particles. Also included are careful descriptions of the techniques necessary for collecting, manipulating and characterizing particles.

The Particle Atlas 2nd Edition:

Volume I – Principles and Techniques – is the foundation for effective use of all particle atlases. It fully describes techniques for particle characterization, handling, and identification and includes detailed presentations of microscope optics, polarized light microscopy, x-ray diffraction camera, and electron and ion microprobes.

Volume II – Light Microscopy Atlas – 711 full-color photomicrographs of 609 particles including complete descriptions in terms of identifying microscopical characteristics. Each particle is also identified morphologically, the vital key to identifying unknown particles with the light microscope.

Volume III – Electron Microscopy Atlas – Shows and describes 1,827 SEM micrographs and EDXRA patterns of the same 609 particles shown in Volume II. This volume details the procedure for the study of samples by both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. This volume includes 27 TEM micrographs and SAED patterns.

Volume IV – The Particle Analyst’s Handbook – 356 pages of analytical tables, charts, diagrams, glossary, and bibliography that increase the scope and depth of all the other volumes. This volume shows you how to identity literally hundreds more particles than are depicted in the other four “atlas” volumes.

Volume V – Light Microscopy Atlas and Techniques – Extends Volume II with 466 additional particles, and Volume I with new techniques including the laser Raman microprobe, Hoffman Modulation Contrast, developments in dispersion staining, refractive index liquids, and microchemical tests.

Volume VI – Electron-Optical Atlas and Techniques – This volume extends Volume III with 1393 additional SEM and TEM micrographs and EDXRA and SAED patterns of the same 412 additional particles presented in Volume V. It describes advances in electron-optical methods, identification of submicro-particles, handling techniques, asbestos identification and automation in laboratory instrumentation.

The Particle Atlas is out of print but original copies of Volume I (1973) and Volume VI (1980) are still available from McCrone Research Institute. Purchase a copy of The Particle Atlas (books) Volume 1: Principles and Techniques and Volume VI: Electron-Optical Atlas and Techniques.

The Particle Atlas Electronic Edition

MicroDataware, in cooperation with McCrone Research Institute, created the Particle Atlas Electronic Edition (PAE2) which contains all the information of the classic work on a CD-ROM. This edition provides quick and convenient access to all the images, text and tabular information contained in the printed Particle Atlas.

The PAE2 incorporates full search capabilities and navigational features. Every occurrence of every word is indexed with priority given to ease of use for the specific and retrieval needs of particle identification.

Subjects Covered in the PAE2

• Optics and Microscopy
• Techniques for Particle Characterization and Particle Handling
• Techniques and Applications of Particle Identification
• Procedures for the Optical and Electron Microscopic Study of Samples
• Use of Automation in Laboratory Instrumentation
• Color Photomicrography for PAE2
• Organization of the Photomicrographic Atlas
• The Particle Analyst’s Handbook
• Glossary
• References

The electronic edition has been discontinued.