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Computer-Controlled Transmission Electron Microscopy: Automated Tomography

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

Theo van der Krift ,
Ulrike Ziese ,
Willie Geerts  and
Bram Koster
Theo van der Krift
Affiliation:
Molecular Cell Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, NL-3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Ulrike Ziese
Affiliation:
Molecular Cell Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, NL-3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Willie Geerts
Affiliation:
Molecular Cell Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, NL-3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Bram Koster
Affiliation:
Molecular Cell Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, NL-3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract

The integration of computers and transmission electron microscopes (TEM) in combination with the availability of computer networks evolves in various fields of computer-controlled electron microscopy. Three layers can be discriminated: control of electron-optical elements in the column, automation of specific microscope operation procedures and display of user interfaces. The first layer of development concerns the computer-control of the optical elements of the transmission electron microscope (TEM). Most of the TEM manufacturers have transformed their optical instruments into computer-controlled image capturing devices. Nowadays, the required controls for the currents through lenses and coils of the optical column can be accessed by computer software. The second layer of development is aimed toward further automation of instrument operation. For specific microscope applications, dedicated automated microscope-control procedures are carried out. in this paper, we will discuss our ongoing efforts on this second level towards fully automated electron tomography. The third layer of development concerns virtual- or telemicroscopy. Most telemicroscopy applications duplicate the computer-screen (with accessory controls) at the microscope-site to a computer-screen at another site. This approach allows sharing of equipment, monitoring of instruments by supervisors, as well as collaboration between experts at remote locations.

Electron tomography is a three-dimensional (3D) imaging method with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that provides high-resolution 3D images of structural arrangements. with electron tomography a series of images is acquired of a sample that is tilted over a large angular range (±70°) with small angular tilt increments.

Type
Instrument Automation (Organized by W. Deruijter and C. Potter)
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 7 , Issue S2: Proceedings: Microscopy & Microanalysis 2001, Microscopy Society of America 59th Annual Meeting, Microbeam Analysis Society 35th Annual Meeting, Long Beach, California August 5-9, 2001 , August 2001 , pp. 968 - 969
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2001

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