Electron microscopy

The following session we'll cover electron microscopy within the context of this subject focusing on the principles and technological advancements of electron microscopy which allows visualization of specimens at near atomic resolution. We will distinguish between the two main types; transmission electron microscopes, TEM, and scanning electron microscopes SEM. And explain their operational differences and applications. Key components and sample preparation techniques will be outlined, as well as the broad impact of electron microscopy in materials science and biology, alongside current limitations and emerging innovations. Electron microscopy revolutionized our ability to visualize biological and material specimens at resolutions far beyond those of light microscopy. Unlike optical microscopes using visible light and glass lenses, electron microscopes use a focused electron beam and electromagnetic lenses to achieve magnifications up to two million times a near atomic resolution. This advancement enables researchers to explore viruses, organelles, metals, and even atomic structures, revealing previously unseen detail. Two major types of electron microscopes are widely used: the transmission electron microscope, TEM, and the scanning electron microscope, SEM. In TEM, a high-energy electron beam passes through an ultra-thin specimen, and variations in electron scattering create an image projected onto a detector, allowing detailed visualization of internal structures.