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Related Concept Videos

Scanning Electron Microscopy01:07

Scanning Electron Microscopy

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
Fundamental Principles
Accelerated...
Overview of Electron Microscopy01:25

Overview of Electron Microscopy

The wavelengths of visible light ultimately limit the maximum theoretical resolution of images created by light microscopes. Most light microscopes can only magnify 1000X, and a few can magnify up to 1500X. Electrons, like electromagnetic radiation, can behave like waves, but with wavelengths of 0.005 nm, they produce significantly greater resolution up to 0.05 nm as compared to 500 nm for visible light. An electron microscope (EM) can create a sharp image that is magnified up to 2,000,000X.
Overview of Microscopy Techniques01:22

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...
Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction01:07

Electron Microscope Tomography and Single-particle Reconstruction

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to determine the 3D structure of biological samples with the help of techniques such as electron microscope tomography and single-particle reconstruction. While single-particle reconstruction can examine macromolecules and macromolecular complexes in vitro conditions only, tomography permits the study of cell components or small cells in vivo.
Electron Tomography
Electron tomography can be performed either in TEM or STEM (scanning transmission...
Transmission Electron Microscopy01:15

Transmission Electron Microscopy

In 1931, physicist Ernst Ruska—building on the idea that magnetic fields can direct an electron beam just as lenses can direct a beam of light in an optical microscope—developed the first prototype of the electron microscope. This development led to the development of the field of electron microscopy. In the transmission electron microscope (TEM), electrons are produced by a hot tungsten element and accelerated by a potential difference in an electron gun, which gives them up to 400 keV in...
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy01:20

Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy

To be visualized by an electron microscope, either transmission or scanning, biological samples need to be fixed (stabilized) so the electron beam does not destroy them and dried thoroughly (desiccated/dehydrated) so the vacuum does not affect them. Fixation needs to be done as quickly as possible because the sample properties will start changing as soon as it is removed from its natural environment. For example, in a tissue sample, the oxygen levels begin decreasing, causing an altered...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples
10:12

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples

Published on: June 19, 2018

X-ray microanalysis in the scanning electron microscope.

Godfried M Roomans1, Anca Dragomir

  • 1Department of Medical Cell Biology, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|July 28, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Scanning electron microscope X-ray microanalysis determines chemical elements in specimens. This technique offers high sensitivity for elemental detection and requires specific protocols for biological samples.

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Area of Science:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • X-ray microanalysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is a powerful technique for elemental composition determination.
  • It is applicable to bulk or semithick specimens, offering insights into material composition.
  • Understanding its capabilities and limitations is crucial for accurate scientific investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the methodology and applications of X-ray microanalysis via SEM.
  • To outline protocols for preparing and analyzing various specimen types, including biological samples.
  • To cover qualitative and quantitative analysis aspects, including detection limits and spatial resolution.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizes scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with X-ray detection for elemental analysis.
  • Employs specific protocols for processing frozen-hydrated and freeze-dried biological specimens.
  • Covers techniques for analyzing fluids, cell cultures, and other small sample volumes.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrates the capability to detect elements down to a few mmol/kg (hundreds of parts per million).
  • Identifies the minimum detectable mass of an element to be around 10(-18) g.
  • Highlights that spatial resolution is dependent on specimen thickness.

Conclusions:

  • X-ray microanalysis with SEM is a versatile tool for elemental determination in diverse samples.
  • Careful specimen preparation, especially for biological materials, is essential to prevent element loss.
  • The technique provides valuable qualitative and quantitative elemental information within defined sensitivity and resolution limits.