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Transmission Electron Microscopy

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...

Overview of Electron Microscopy

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.

Scanning Electron Microscopy

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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Use of Sacrificial Nanoparticles to Remove the Effects of Shot-noise in Contact Holes Fabricated by E-beam Lithography

Use of Sacrificial Nanoparticles to Remove the Effects of Shot-noise in Contact Holes Fabricated by E-beam Lithography

Published on: February 12, 2017

Electron beam manipulation of nanoparticles.

Haimei Zheng¹, Utkur M Mirsaidov, Lin-Wang Wang

¹Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA. hmzheng@lbl.gov

|October 6, 2012

Summary

Electron beams can trap and move gold nanoparticles within an environmental cell. This study quantifies the trapping force and demonstrates nanoparticle collection and assembly using electron beam manipulation.

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Utilization of Plasmonic and Photonic Crystal Nanostructures for Enhanced Micro- and Nanoparticle Manipulation

Utilization of Plasmonic and Photonic Crystal Nanostructures for Enhanced Micro- and Nanoparticle Manipulation

Published on: September 27, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Use of Sacrificial Nanoparticles to Remove the Effects of Shot-noise in Contact Holes Fabricated by E-beam Lithography

Use of Sacrificial Nanoparticles to Remove the Effects of Shot-noise in Contact Holes Fabricated by E-beam Lithography

Published on: February 12, 2017

Utilization of Plasmonic and Photonic Crystal Nanostructures for Enhanced Micro- and Nanoparticle Manipulation

Utilization of Plasmonic and Photonic Crystal Nanostructures for Enhanced Micro- and Nanoparticle Manipulation

Published on: September 27, 2011

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Physics

Background:

Electron beam manipulation is crucial for nanoscale applications.
Understanding nanoparticle dynamics is key for materials assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate electron beam manipulation of gold nanoparticles.
To quantify the trapping forces involved.
To demonstrate nanoparticle collection and assembly.

Main Methods:

Simultaneous transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging.
Utilizing an environmental cell for nanoparticle observation.
Electron beam manipulation for trapping and movement.

Main Results:

Gold nanoparticles dynamically move towards higher electron density.
Global nanoparticle movements correlate with beam positions.
A trapping force in the piconewton range was measured.
Multiple nanoparticles were successfully trapped and collected.
Nanoparticle clusters were assembled on a membrane surface.

Conclusions:

Electron beams can effectively trap and manipulate gold nanoparticles.
This technique allows for controlled nanoparticle collection and assembly.
Potential applications in nanoscale fabrication and device engineering.