


It can resolve objects as close as 1 nm i.e. TEM has a much higher resolution than SEM. Resolution SEM can resolve objects as close as 20 nm. The sample in TEM has to be cut thinner ( 70-90 nm) because electrons cannot penetrate very far into materials. Sample Preparation Sample is coated with a thin layer of heavy metal such as gold or palladium. TEM can show many characteristics of the sample, such as internal composition, morphology, crystallization, etc. Transmission electron microscope is used to view thin specimens (tissue sections, molecules, etc). SEM focuses on the sample’s surface and its composition, so SEM shows only the morphology of samples. Purpose SEM provides detailed images of the surfaces of cells. TEM is based on transmitted electrons and operates on the same basic principles as the light microscope. It is the EM analog of a stereo light microscope. electrons emitted from the surface of a specimen. Colorized electron micrographs of E.coli produced by TEM and SEM (Source: TEM-Dennis kunkel/phototake, TEM-David M.Phillips/Visuals Unlimited) The major differences between SEM and TEM are as follows: Properties Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Light Source SEM is based on scattered electrons, i.e. Transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope are the two most common types of electron microscope. There are several types of electron microscopes, classified according to their final use. These interactions and effects are detected and transformed into an image.Interactions occur inside the irradiated sample, affecting the electron beam.This beam is focused on the sample using an electromagnetic lens.This stream is confined and focused using metal apertures and magnetic lenses into a thin, focused, monochromatic beam.A stream of high voltage electrons (usually 5-100 KeV) is formed by the electron source (usually a heated tungsten or field emission filament) and accelerated in a vacuum toward the specimen using a positive electrical potential.Greater details of minute biological structures generated through EM are aiding in the advancement of research breakthroughs.įive basic steps involved in all electron microscopes are: Electron microscope uses the beam of electrons that travel through a vacuum and electromagnets are used to focus the beam. Though electron microscopes are expensive and require much more space for the installation of the equipment, the electron micrographs it generates justify the capital investments.
