Figure 3

Measurement position for representative G. stearothermophilus strain spore. (A) Phase-contrast microscope image of spores under a phase-contrast microscope to confirm that the spore sample used for measurement has a purity of ≥99%. (B) SPM image showing demarcation of x-axis (x₁ - x₂) and y-axis (y₁ - y₂) cross-sections of the spore.