Alteration of organic matter by ion milling

Since most ion beam SEM studies focus on organic nanoporosity within the OM, thermal alteration caused by ion milling may have serious implications for image-based physical analysis of pores. The possibility of increased nanoporosity due to rapid devolatilization of lighter organic compounds in macerals could potentially have a significant impact on organic porosity, especially at lower thermal maturities (i.e., oil and wet gas windows).