MENU
  • Scitation Home
SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLE

Thank you

For your interest in American Journal of Physics

Check for updates on crossmark
Prev Next
No Access Submitted: 15 February 2006 Accepted: 04 August 2006 Published Online: 12 October 2006

  • A transmission electron microscope for lecture demonstrations

American Journal of Physics 74, 953 (2006); https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2345656
J. A. Panitz
  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
    • Gertrude Rempfer
  • Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97207
    • more...View Contributors
    • J. A. Panitz
    • Gertrude Rempfer
    ABSTRACT
    A simple transmission electron microscope (TEM) suitable for lecture demonstrations is described. In this TEM electrons are created in a glow discharge between two parallel electrodes in air at a reduced pressure. The electrons are collimated by a small hole in the anode, focused by a solenoid that acts as an electromagnetic lens, and imaged on a thin layer of phosphor deposited inside an Erlenmeyer flask. An image of a biological sample placed between the source and the lens can be magnified about 20 times. The microscope uses inexpensive components that can be quickly assembled during a demonstration. The TEM provides a visual and memorable display that highlights phenomena such as mean-free-path, charged particle optics, electrical discharges, and cathodoluminescence.

    REFERENCES
    Section:
    Previous sectionNext section

    1. 1. M. Knolland and E. Ruska, “Beitrag zur geometrischen Elektronenoptik I und II (Contribution to geometrical electron optics),” Ann. Phys.0003-3804 12, 607–640 (1932); Google Scholar
      M. Knolland and E. Ruska, Ann. Phys.0003-380412, 641–661 (1932). Google Scholar
    2. 2. FEI Company, Titan TEM, ⟨www.feicompany.com/⟩. Google Scholar
    3. 3. Gertrude F. Rempfer, “Electrostatic electron optics in the 1940s and today,” Microscope Soc. Am. Bull. 23, 153–158 (1993). Google Scholar
    4. 4. Varian, variable leak valve, model 951-5106, ⟨www.varianinc.com/⟩. Google Scholar
    5. 5. E. Ruska, “The development of the electron microscope and of electron microscopy. Nobel lecture (physics),” Rev. Mod. Phys.0034-6861 https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.59.627 59, 627–638 (1987). Google ScholarCrossref
    6. 6.A current limiting resistor (three 5MΩ resistors in parallel, R=1.67MΩ) is wired in series with the power supply and the AK gap. A 150MΩ bleeder resistor is wired between the output of the power supply (5kV @ 5mA) and ground.
    7. 7. A. von Engle, Ionized Gases (Oxford University Press, London, 1955). Google Scholar
    8. 8. See, for example, Experimental Innovations in Surface Science, edited by John T. Yates, Jr. (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1998). Google ScholarCrossref
    9. 9. Ted Pella, Inc., PELCO colloidal silver liquid, Part No. 16034, ⟨www.tedpella.com/⟩. Google Scholar
    10. 10. Acheson Colloids Company, Aerodag G, ⟨www.achesonindustries.com/⟩. Google Scholar
    11. 11. J. A. Panitz and D. G. Bear, “A procedure for increasing the contrast of biological specimens in edge-projection TEM,” J. Microsc.0022-2720 l38, 107–110 (1985). Google ScholarCrossref
    1. © 2006 American Association of Physics Teachers.

    Article Metrics

    Views
    110
    Citations
    Crossref 4
    Web of Science
    ISI 3

    Altmetric

    Please Note: The number of views represents the full text views from December 2016 to date. Article views prior to December 2016 are not included.