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Related Concept Videos

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.
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...
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...
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...
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: Jul 2, 2026

Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles
10:00

Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles

Published on: July 5, 2016

Mixed Element Microparticle Characterization by Electron Probe Microanalysis.

Alexis T Riche1, Peter McSwiggen2, Kayleigh Harvey3

  • 1Savannah River National Laboratory, Aiken, SC 29808, USA.

Microscopy and Microanalysis : the Official Journal of Microscopy Society of America, Microbeam Analysis Society, Microscopical Society of Canada
|March 29, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Electron probe microanalysis offers a nondestructive method for characterizing microparticles in nuclear forensics. This technique accurately quantifies trace elements, complementing destructive methods.

Keywords:
EPMAimpurity analysismicroanalysismicroparticlesnuclear forensicstrace elements

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In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis
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In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis

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Atom Probe Tomography Analysis of Exsolved Mineral Phases
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Atom Probe Tomography Analysis of Exsolved Mineral Phases

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles
10:00

Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles

Published on: July 5, 2016

In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis
14:53

In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis

Published on: February 3, 2018

Atom Probe Tomography Analysis of Exsolved Mineral Phases
08:14

Atom Probe Tomography Analysis of Exsolved Mineral Phases

Published on: October 25, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Forensics
  • Materials Science
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Traditional nuclear forensics relies on destructive techniques like secondary ion mass spectrometry.
  • These methods consume samples, preventing further analysis.
  • Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) is a rapid, nondestructive technique used in material science.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate EPMA as an alternative tool for microparticle analysis in nuclear forensics.
  • To develop a method for quantitative compositional characterization of microparticles using EPMA.
  • To assess EPMA's applicability for analyzing mixed-element systems relevant to nuclear forensics.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) for imaging and quantitative analysis.
  • Employed a calibration curve derived from quadrupole-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for quantification.
  • Analyzed nickel-doped cerium oxide microparticles as analogs for actinide-doped materials.

Main Results:

  • Successfully detected and quantified nickel dopant in cerium oxide microparticles down to trace levels (parts per million).
  • Demonstrated the capability of EPMA for high-fidelity, quantitative single-particle characterization.
  • Validated the use of EPMA with ICP-MS calibration for analyzing mixed-element systems.

Conclusions:

  • EPMA is a viable, nondestructive alternative for microparticle analysis in nuclear forensics.
  • The technique can accurately quantify trace elements in mixed-element systems.
  • EPMA provides a valuable complement to existing destructive analytical methods.