Electron microscopy is a nanotechnology tool

Electron microscopy is a combination of electron-probe methods that make it possible to investigate the microstructure of solids, as well as their local composition and microfield.

With this method of research, special devices are used - microscopes, in which the image is magnified due to the presence of electron beams.

Electron microscopy has two main directions:

• Translucent - is carried out by means of transmission electron microscopes, in which objects are illuminated by a beam of electrons with an energy of 50 to 200 keV. Electrons that pass through the object under investigation are incident on special magnetic lenses. These lenses form on the special screen or film an image of all the internal structures of the object. It must be said that transmission electron microscopy makes it possible to obtain an increase of almost 1.5 * 106 times. It makes it possible to judge the crystalline structure of objects, therefore it is considered the main method for studying the ultrathin structures of various solids.

• Scanning (scanning) electron microscopy - is carried out using special microscopes in which an electron beam with the use of magnetic lenses is assembled into a thin probe. It scans the surface of the object under investigation, with secondary radiation appearing, which is detected by various detectors and converted into corresponding video signals.

It is worth noting that electron microscopy has a number of advantages over traditional X-ray spectral analysis methods. That is why it is becoming more widespread and can be called an important achievement of modern nanotechnology.

In addition, electron microscopy causes 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, developed hardware and software systems that are able to memorize the images and perform their statistical processing, adjust their contrast and brightness, identify individual details of the investigated microstructures.

Modern electron microscopes are equipped with special processors that reduce the likelihood of damage to samples of the material being studied, and also increase the reliability of data related to the analysis of the microstructure of objects, which greatly facilitates the work of researchers.

The achievements of electronic microanalysis are actively used to understand atomic interactions, which allows creating a material with new properties, and progressive three-dimensional modeling allows biologists to study the important molecular mechanisms that underlie all biological processes. In addition, due to the use of electron microscopy, it is possible to carry out a series of dynamic experiments and to obtain the necessary base for the creation of new nanostructures.