916 Room Temperature Tomography Holder

Applications

Tomography is becoming an increasingly more important technique in the visualisation of small three-dimensional structures. Electron tomography is a useful technique that can be used to obtain three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of electron transparent objects. A series of tilted images is taken in the TEM and these two-dimensional (2D) images are then back projected to generate a three dimensional reconstruction. There are many software packages available to do this. Depending on the maximum tilt range available in the microscope configuration a certain wedge of data may not be sampled. (see Figure 1). This effect may be reduced by acquiring another series of images with the specimen rotated by 90º to the first series.

Tomograms contain an enormous amount of information and are essentially a three-dimensional map of the structure being studied. Many biological and materials science questions can be answered by electron tomography. Specific structures may be located by the use of high density labelling.

Low drift and high resolution

The 916 holder benefits from its light weight to give good performance even at very high goniometer tilts. The tip is rigid despite its thin section and is protected from being bent while specimens are being loaded. The design gives the maximum available tilt of all currently available holders for 3mm specimens.

Optimised specimen loading

Specimens are loaded quickly and easily using the ‘Quickload’ jig supplied. No screws need to be loosened nor are special tools required. The specimen is automatically centred when inserting. Grids may be easily removed and rotated to enable a second series of tilted images to be taken perpendicular to the first tilt series.

Secure specimen clamping system

Grids or specimens are held firmly but gently by the clamping springs, which are flexible enough to take up variations in specimen thickness. This makes the holder ideal for both materials science and life science applications.

Quick Load