title: High-resolution low-dose scanning transmission electron microscopy.
abstract: During the past two decades instrumentation in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has pushed toward higher intensity electron probes to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of recorded images. While this is suitable for robust specimens, biological specimens require a much reduced electron dose for high-resolution imaging. We describe here protocols for low-dose STEM image recording with a conventional field-emission gun STEM, while maintaining the high-resolution capability of the instrument. Our findings show that a combination of reduced pixel dwell time and reduced gun current can achieve radiation doses comparable to low-dose TEM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of California at Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA, USA. james.buban@gmail.com
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Buban
authors.forename: Quentin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ramasse
authors.forename: Bryant
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gipson
authors.forename: Nigel D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Browning
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stahlberg
mesh_terms: D004583:Electrons; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D017348:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D013324:Strontium / Q000737:chemistry; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; D011506:Proteins; D014025:Titanium; C119252:strontium titanium oxide; D013324:Strontium