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Related Concept Videos

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...
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.
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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Obtaining 3D Chemical Maps by Energy Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy Tomography
08:15

Obtaining 3D Chemical Maps by Energy Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy Tomography

Published on: June 9, 2018

Electron tomography and holography in materials science.

Paul A Midgley1, Rafal E Dunin-Borkowski

  • 1Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK. pam33@cam.ac.uk

Nature Materials
|March 25, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Electron tomography and electron holography enable 3D nanoscale structural and chemical analysis. These techniques map electrostatic and magnetic potentials, advancing materials science and life sciences research.

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Compact Lens-less Digital Holographic Microscope for MEMS Inspection and Characterization
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Published on: July 5, 2016

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Obtaining 3D Chemical Maps by Energy Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy Tomography
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Obtaining 3D Chemical Maps by Energy Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy Tomography

Published on: June 9, 2018

Compact Lens-less Digital Holographic Microscope for MEMS Inspection and Characterization
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Compact Lens-less Digital Holographic Microscope for MEMS Inspection and Characterization

Published on: July 5, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Physical Sciences
  • Life Sciences

Background:

  • Electron tomography has advanced, enabling 3D visualization of nanoscale structures and chemical information.
  • Electron holography reveals phase information for quantitative mapping of electrostatic and magnetic potentials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of electron tomography and electron holography techniques.
  • To demonstrate the capabilities of these techniques through case studies.

Main Methods:

  • Electron tomography for 3D structural and chemical analysis.
  • Electron holography for quantitative potential mapping.
  • Combining tomography and holography for 3D potential mapping.

Main Results:

  • Visualization and analysis of nanoscale materials in 3D.
  • Quantitative mapping of electrostatic and magnetic potentials in 3D.
  • Demonstrated capabilities across diverse scientific fields.

Conclusions:

  • Electron tomography and holography are powerful tools for nanoscale characterization.
  • These techniques offer significant insights at the interface of physical and life sciences.