title: In situ study of live specimens in an environmental scanning electron microscope.
abstract: In this paper we introduce new methodology for the observation of living biological samples in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The methodology is based on an unconventional initiation procedure for ESEM chamber pumping, free from purge-flood cycles, and on the ability to control thermodynamic processes close to the sample. The gradual and gentle change of the working environment from air to water vapor enables the study of not only living samples in dynamic in situ experiments and their manifestation of life (sample walking) but also its experimentally stimulated physiological reactions. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations of primary electron beam energy losses in a water layer on the sample surface were studied; consequently, the influence of the water thickness on radiation, temperature, or chemical damage of the sample was considered.
authors: Institute of Scientific Instruments of the ASCR, v.v.i., Královopolská 147, Brno 612 64, Czech Republic.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Tihlaříková
authors: Vilém
authors: V
authors: Neděla
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Shiojiri
mesh_terms: D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water