Annular dark-field transmission electron microscopy for low contrast materials

Microsc Microanal. 2013 Jun;19(3):629-34. doi: 10.1017/S1431927613000020. Epub 2013 Apr 4.

Abstract

Imaging soft matter by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is anything but straightforward. Recently, interest has grown in developing alternative imaging modes that generate contrast without additional staining. Here, we present a dark-field TEM technique based on the use of an annular objective aperture. Our experiments demonstrate an increase in both contrast and signal-to-noise ratio in comparison to conventional bright-field TEM. The proposed technique is easy to implement and offers an alternative imaging mode to investigate soft matter.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / ultrastructure*
  • Contrast Media
  • Lung / ultrastructure*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media