Some early history of replica techniques for electron microscopy

Author(s):  
Robert M. Fisher

By 1940, a half dozen or so commercial or home-built transmission electron microscopes were in use for studies of the ultrastructure of matter. These operated at 30-60 kV and most pioneering microscopists were preoccupied with their search for electron transparent substrates to support dispersions of particulates or bacteria for TEM examination and did not contemplate studies of bulk materials. Metallurgist H. Mahl and other physical scientists, accustomed to examining etched, deformed or machined specimens by reflected light in the optical microscope, were also highly motivated to capitalize on the superior resolution of the electron microscope. Mahl originated several methods of preparing thin oxide or lacquer impressions of surfaces that were transparent in his 50 kV TEM. The utility of replication was recognized immediately and many variations on the theme, including two-step negative-positive replicas, soon appeared. Intense development of replica techniques slowed after 1955 but important advances still occur. The availability of 100 kV instruments, advent of thin film methods for metals and ceramics and microtoming of thin sections for biological specimens largely eliminated any need to resort to replicas.

Author(s):  
Nakazo Watari ◽  
Yasuaki Hotta ◽  
Yoshio Mabuchi

It is very useful if we can observe the identical cell elements within the same sections by light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and/or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sequentially, because, the cell fine structure can not be indicated by LM, while the color is; on the other hand, the cell fine structure can be very easily observed by EM, although its color properties may not. However, there is one problem in that LM requires thick sections of over 1 μm, while EM needs very thin sections of under 100 nm. Recently, we have developed a new method to observe the same cell elements within the same plastic sections using both light and transmission (conventional or high-voltage) electron microscopes.In this paper, we have developed two new observation methods for the identical cell elements within the same sections, both plastic-embedded and paraffin-embedded, using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and/or scanning electron microscopy (Fig. 1).


Author(s):  
Shaun P Collin ◽  
H Barry Collin

Abstract The ultrastructure of the nictitating membrane in the little penguin Eudyptula minor was studied using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy to improve our understanding of the function of ocular adnexa in diving birds. Following euthanasia, eyes were enucleated and immersion fixed in Karnovsky's fixative. The nictitating membrane and conjunctiva were embedded in araldite and semi- or ultra-thin sections were stained and photographed using compound and transmission electron microscopes, respectively. Ultrastructural dimensions were measured directly from digital photographs. Surface ultrastructure was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The transparent nictitating membrane consists of a dense stroma surrounded by epithelia on both the external (conjunctival) and internal (bulbar) surfaces. The conjunctival surface of the membrane near the leading edge is covered by microvilli, which transition to microplicae and finally to microridges in the periphery. Beneath the epithelial cells, there is a well-developed basement membrane. Scattered throughout this epithelium are a few goblet cells. The surface of the bulbar epithelium is covered by microvilli near the leading edge, which become denser peripherally. The stroma consists of densely-packed collagen fibrils, which are randomly oriented in bundles near the leading edge but are aligned in the same direction parallel with the epithelial and corneal surfaces and with the leading edge, when the membrane is extended. The ultrastructure of the nictitating membrane in the little penguin differs from other birds and its function is predominantly protective, while preserving clear vision in both water and air.


Author(s):  
J. Cadoz ◽  
J. Castaing ◽  
J. Philibert

Plastic deformation of alumina has been much studied; basal slip occurs and dislocation structures have been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (T.E.M.) (1). Non basal slip has been observed (2); the prismatic glide system <1010> {1210} has been obtained by compression tests between 1400°C and 1800°C (3). Dislocations with <0110> burgers vector were identified using a 100 kV microscope(4).We describe the dislocation structures after prismatic slip, using high voltage T.E.M. which gives much information.Compression tests were performed at constant strainrate (∿10-4s-1); the maximum deformation reached was 0.03. Thin sections were cut from specimens deformed at 1450°C, either parallel to the glide plane or perpendicular to the glide direction. After mechanical thinning, foils were produced by ion bombardment. Details on experimental techniques can be obtained through reference (3).


Author(s):  
T. P. Nolan

Thin film magnetic media are being used as low cost, high density forms of information storage. The development of this technology requires the study, at the sub-micron level, of morphological, crystallographic, and magnetic properties, throughout the depth of the deposited films. As the microstructure becomes increasingly fine, widi grain sizes approaching 100Å, the unique characterization capabilities of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have become indispensable to the analysis of such thin film magnetic media.Films were deposited at 225°C, on two NiP plated Al substrates, one polished, and one circumferentially textured with a mean roughness of 55Å. Three layers, a 750Å chromium underlayer, a 600Å layer of magnetic alloy of composition Co84Cr14Ta2, and a 300Å amorphous carbon overcoat were then sputter deposited using a dc magnetron system at a power of 1kW, in a chamber evacuated below 10-6 torr and filled to 12μm Ar pressure. The textured medium is presently used in industry owing to its high coercivity, Hc, and relatively low noise. One important feature is that the coercivity in the circumferential read/write direction is significandy higher than that in the radial direction.


Author(s):  
J. L. Lee ◽  
C. A. Weiss ◽  
R. A. Buhrman ◽  
J. Silcox

BaF2 thin films are being investigated as candidates for use in YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) / BaF2 thin film multilayer systems, given the favorable dielectric properties of BaF2. In this study, the microstructural and chemical compatibility of BaF2 thin films with YBCO thin films is examined using transmission electron microscopy and microanalysis. The specimen was prepared by using laser ablation to first deposit an approximately 2500 Å thick (0 0 1) YBCO thin film onto a (0 0 1) MgO substrate. An approximately 7500 Å thick (0 0 1) BaF2 thin film was subsequendy thermally evaporated onto the YBCO film.Images from a VG HB501A UHV scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) operating at 100 kV show that the thickness of the BaF2 film is rather uniform, with the BaF2/YBCO interface being quite flat. Relatively few intrinsic defects, such as hillocks and depressions, were evident in the BaF2 film. Moreover, the hillocks and depressions appear to be faceted along {111} planes, suggesting that the surface is smooth and well-ordered on an atomic scale and that an island growth mechanism is involved in the evolution of the BaF2 film.


Author(s):  
M.A. O’Keefe ◽  
J. Taylor ◽  
D. Owen ◽  
B. Crowley ◽  
K.H. Westmacott ◽  
...  

Remote on-line electron microscopy is rapidly becoming more available as improvements continue to be developed in the software and hardware of interfaces and networks. Scanning electron microscopes have been driven remotely across both wide and local area networks. Initial implementations with transmission electron microscopes have targeted unique facilities like an advanced analytical electron microscope, a biological 3-D IVEM and a HVEM capable of in situ materials science applications. As implementations of on-line transmission electron microscopy become more widespread, it is essential that suitable standards be developed and followed. Two such standards have been proposed for a high-level protocol language for on-line access, and we have proposed a rational graphical user interface. The user interface we present here is based on experience gained with a full-function materials science application providing users of the National Center for Electron Microscopy with remote on-line access to a 1.5MeV Kratos EM-1500 in situ high-voltage transmission electron microscope via existing wide area networks. We have developed and implemented, and are continuing to refine, a set of tools, protocols, and interfaces to run the Kratos EM-1500 on-line for collaborative research. Computer tools for capturing and manipulating real-time video signals are integrated into a standardized user interface that may be used for remote access to any transmission electron microscope equipped with a suitable control computer.


Author(s):  
B. L. Armbruster ◽  
B. Kraus ◽  
M. Pan

One goal in electron microscopy of biological specimens is to improve the quality of data to equal the resolution capabilities of modem transmission electron microscopes. Radiation damage and beam- induced movement caused by charging of the sample, low image contrast at high resolution, and sensitivity to external vibration and drift in side entry specimen holders limit the effective resolution one can achieve. Several methods have been developed to address these limitations: cryomethods are widely employed to preserve and stabilize specimens against some of the adverse effects of the vacuum and electron beam irradiation, spot-scan imaging reduces charging and associated beam-induced movement, and energy-filtered imaging removes the “fog” caused by inelastic scattering of electrons which is particularly pronounced in thick specimens.Although most cryoholders can easily achieve a 3.4Å resolution specification, information perpendicular to the goniometer axis may be degraded due to vibration. Absolute drift after mechanical and thermal equilibration as well as drift after movement of a holder may cause loss of resolution in any direction.


2003 ◽  
Vol 775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghai Wang ◽  
David T. Johnson ◽  
Byron F. McCaughey ◽  
J. Eric Hampsey ◽  
Jibao He ◽  
...  

AbstractPalladium nanowires have been electrodeposited into mesoporous silica thin film templates. Palladium continually grows and fills silica mesopores starting from a bottom conductive substrate, providing a ready and efficient route to fabricate a macroscopic palladium nanowire thin films for potentially use in fuel cells, electrodes, sensors, and other applications. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate it is possible to create different nanowire morphology such as bundles and swirling mesostructure based on the template pore structure.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 526-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Wang ◽  
Boming Zhang ◽  
Jinrui Ye

Hybrid nanocomposites were successfully prepared by the incorporation of polyethersulfone (PES) and organoclay into epoxy resin. They had higher fracture toughness than the prepared PES/epoxy blend and organoclay/epoxy nanocomposites. The microstructures of the hybrid nanocomposites were studied. They were comprised of homogeneous PES/epoxy semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) matrices and organoclay micro-agglomerates made up of tactoid-like regions composed of ordered exfoliated organoclay with various orientations. The former was confirmed with dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, while the latter was successfully observed with X-ray diffraction measurements, optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The improvement of their fracture toughness was due to the synergistic toughening effect of the PES and the organoclay and related to their microstructures.


2008 ◽  
Vol 135 ◽  
pp. 15-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hae Sic Kim ◽  
Hyun Suk Kang ◽  
Gyo Jin Chu ◽  
Hong Sik Byun

The antifungal effectiveness against rose powdery mildew using antimicrobial nanosilver colloidal solution was investigated. Double-capsulized nanosilver was prepared by chemical reaction of silver ion with aid of physical method, reducing agent and stabilizers. The average diameter of nanosilver was about 1.5 nm. They were highly stable and very well dispersive in aqueous solution. The Transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectrometer were used for measurements of size analysis and their stability, respectively. The nanosilver colloidal solution of concentration of 5000 ppm was diluted in 10 ppm of 500 kg and sprayed at large area of 3306 m2polluted by rose powdery mildew. The white rose powdery mildew fade out above 95 % after 2 days and was not recurred for a week. The antifungal effects were observed by an optical microscope and photographs.


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