Electron Microscope Techniques

Abstract

The electron microscope is similar to the light microscope in that it is a combination of lenses for creating magnified images of minute objects. Electron microscope can provide information as to size, shape, and arrangement, with great resolving power being its chief advantage. Several instrumental factors prevent achievement of the theoretical resolution limit of the electron microscope, but contamination of the specimen and all surfaces exposed to the electron beam through build up of carbonaceous deposits is currently the greatest single hindrance. The ultimate goal of electron microscopy is a general resolving power of atomic order. Magnetic lenses are the heart of the optical system of the electron microscope, which uses electrons instead of visible light. Depending upon the specimen, the different attributes of size, shape, and arrangement that can be observed in the electron microscope may be distorted during specimen preparation; arrangement and shape are usually the more sensitive properties.