Early results using high-resolution, low-voltage, low-temperature SEM.
Recent advances in the design of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) column, such as the coupling of a field-emission gun to a low-aberration immersion lens and the availability of a high-stability cryo-transfer stage, make low-temperature, low-voltage SEM (LTLVSEM) possible at very high resolution. We have used this combination to obtain results with uncoated biological specimens. The trichocyst from a Paramecium was used as a test specimen to observe the shrinkage of this structure as the temperature is raised from 170 K to room temperature following freeze-drying. High-magnification stereo images were obtained of trichocysts that had been prepared by freezing, freeze-substitution and critical-point drying and which were subsequently viewed by LTLVSEM to reduce beam damage and contamination.
Pawley
J B
JB
Integrated Microscopy Resource, Madison, WI 53706.
Walther
P
P
Shih
S J
SJ
Malecki
M
M
D000818:Animals; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005612:Freeze Drying; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D010247:Paramecium / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013696:Temperature