Electron microscopy is a combination of electron probe methods that allow to study the microstructure of solids, as well as their local composition and microfield.
With this research method, special devices are used - microscopes, in which the image is enlarged due to the presence of electron beams.
Electron microscopy has two main areas:
β’ Translucent - is carried out using transmission electron microscopes in which objects are illuminated by a beam of electrons with energies from 50 to 200 keV. The electrons that pass through the object under investigation fall on special magnetic lenses. These lenses form on a special screen or film an image of all the internal structures of the object. I must say that transmission electron microscopy allows you to get an increase of almost 1.5 * 106 times. It makes it possible to judge the crystal structure of objects; therefore, it is considered the main method for studying the ultrathin structures of various solids.
β’ Scanning (raster) electron microscopy - is carried out using special microscopes in which an electron beam using magnetic lenses is collected in a thin probe. It scans the surface of the object under study, while there is secondary radiation, which is detected by various detectors and turns into the corresponding video signals.
It should be noted that electron microscopy has several advantages over traditional methods of X-ray spectral microanalysis. That is why it is becoming more widespread and may be called an important achievement of modern nanotechnology.
In addition, electron microscopy determines the intensive development of computer morphometry, the essence of which is the use of computer technology for more thorough and complete processing of electronic images.
To date, hardware and software systems have been developed that are capable of storing the images obtained and performing their statistical processing, adjusting their contrast and brightness, and highlighting individual details of the studied microstructures.
Modern electron microscopes are equipped with special processors that reduce the likelihood of damage to samples of the studied material, as well as increase the reliability of data relating to the analysis of the microstructure of objects, which greatly facilitates the work of researchers.
Achievements of electronic microanalysis are actively used to understand atomic interactions, which allows you to create material with new properties, and progressive three-dimensional modeling allows biologists to study the important molecular mechanisms that underlie all biological processes. In addition, thanks to the use of electron microscopy, it is possible to carry out a number of dynamic experiments and obtain the necessary base for creating new nanostructures.