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Dear Abbe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 May 2012

Extract

As with most instructors, I have a problem with microscopy students. Quite often when viewing an EDS X-ray spectrum there will be a small peak at 2 times the energy of the main peak. My students will say, “What peak is that?” I will say, “It's a sum peak.” “We know it's some peak, but which one?” “A sum peak,” I say. Frustrated, they respond, “We know it's some peak…and stop talking like Lawrence Welk!” Can you help me?

Type
Dear Abbe
Information
Microscopy Today , Volume 20 , Issue 3 , May 2012 , pp. 65
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2012

Dear Abbe,

As with most instructors, I have a problem with microscopy students. Quite often when viewing an EDS X-ray spectrum there will be a small peak at 2 times the energy of the main peak. My students will say, “What peak is that?” I will say, “It's a sum peak.” “We know it's some peak, but which one?” “A sum peak,” I say. Frustrated, they respond, “We know it's some peak…and stop talking like Lawrence Welk!” Can you help me?

Sum Guy, Somewhere

Dear Sum,

I'm afraid there is nothing I can do about you sounding like Lawrence Welk, apart from surgery and voice lessons. However the interaction with your students reminds me of a comedy routine Max Plank and I performed at various parlors in and around Leipzig. It went something like this:

  • Abbe: What's that peak?

  • Planck: The Watt peak.

  • A: That peak!

  • P: It's a sum peak.

  • A: I know it's some peak but which peak?

  • P: Not a witch peak, it's a sum peak.

  • A: What peak?

  • P: Exactly.

  • A: Godt in himmel what are you talking about?

  • P: The Watt peak.

  • A: That's what I'm askin' you. What peak?

  • P: I just told you, it's sum peak.

  • A: I'm gonna kick you in the jewels!!

  • P: Not Joules, Watt.

  • A: What?

  • P: Now you've got it. Good for you.

  • A: I've gotten nothing!

Oh my, we could go on for hours, working in references to hartrees (Eh), BTUs, and calories. We once made Janne Rydberg laugh so hard he squirted Schnapps out his schnauzen!

Max Planck (in jersey) and Herr Abbe (with Lab-Bat) performing their famous “What some peak?” routine. They were later copied by Abbott and Costello.

If you need relief from persistent questioners, drop a line to Herr Abbe's faithful assistant at .