Transmission Electron Microscopy: What Sets It Apart from Other Imaging Techniques?
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful imaging technique that directs a beam of electrons through a sample to produce high-resolution images. Compared to other imaging techniques, TEM offers unique advantages that make it a crucial tool in scientific research, particularly in materials science, nanotechnology, and biological sciences. In this blog post, we will explore the distinctive features of TEM and discuss how it differs from other microscopy techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Higher Resolution and Atomic-Scale Imaging
One of the key advantages of TEM is its ability to achieve significantly higher resolution than light microscopes. TEM can magnify nanometer structures up to 50 million times,1 revealing atomic-level details that are essential for studying materials and biological samples.
Unlike light microscopy, which is limited by the diffraction of visible light, TEM uses an electron beam with a much shorter wavelength. This allows TEM to visualize structures as small as a single column of atoms, which is thousands of times smaller than the resolvable objects seen in light microscopes.
Transmitted Electrons and Analytical Capabilities
TEM uses transmitted electrons, unlike SEM, which relies on detecting reflected or knocked-off electrons to create an image. This approach enables TEM to provide a different type of imaging and analysis, making it particularly useful for studying thin samples and materials with boundaries between different substances.2
It is also worth mentioning that TEM is not only an imaging technique but also a powerful analytical method. It plays a crucial role in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences, allowing researchers to investigate the structure and composition of various specimens. TEM has proven invaluable in studying materials with complex microstructures, providing insights into the properties and behavior of advanced structural materials, electronic materials, and nanomaterials.
Applications of TEM
In materials science, TEM is a valuable solution for examining the structure of solid materials, particularly highly crystalline structures. It enables researchers to visualize the internal structures of materials, providing valuable information for designing and developing nanotechnology applications.3
In the field of biology, TEM has been instrumental in studying the ultrastructure of biological samples. It has been used to identify antigens in biomedical samples, which supports the diagnosis of bacterial infections. TEM has also enabled a more comprehensive understanding of nanoparticle uptake, biodistribution, and interactions with subcellular structures.4 By visualizing cellular components and their associations, TEM has shed light on the dynamics between cells, bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
JEOL and Transmission Electron Microscopy Solutions
Transmission electron microscopy is a powerful imaging technique that provides exceptional resolution and atomic-scale imaging. Its use of transmitted electrons and analytical capabilities make it indispensable in multiple fields. But where can you purchase TEM instruments? That’s where JEOL comes in.
JEOL USA provides cutting-edge instruments to the scientific community, enabling researchers to advance their studies and discoveries. One of our latest offerings is the
CRYO ARM™ 300, a cryo-electron microscope (cryo-EM) designed to revolutionize the field of structural analysis. With unmatched resolution and stability, the CRYO ARM™ 300 facilitates the automatic and unattended acquisition of image data for Single Particle Analysis.
Contact a member of JEOL today to learn more about the benefits of transmission electron microscopy.