Photoelectron microscopy of cell surfaces.

Photoelectron micrographs of fixed, unstained, uncoated chicken embryo fibroblasts and absolute photoelectron quantum yields in the 180-230 nm wavelength band of L-fucose, D-galactose, D-glucose, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, and the sucrose polymer Ficoll are reported. The quantum yields of the saccharides are low compared to the reference dye, phthalocyanine, and fall in the same range as those previously measured for amino acids and membrane phospholipids. Photoelectron micrographs of the unstained and uncoated cells inhibit considerable surface detail. The photoelectron quantum yield data and the micrographs indicate that surface relief is the dominant source of contrast.