Method for Electron Tomography

摘要

The invention relates to an improved method of electron tomography. Electron tomography is a time consuming process, as a large number of images, typically between 50-100 images, must be acquired to form one tomogram. The invention teaches a method to shorten the time needed to acquire this amount images much more quickly by tilting the sample continuously, instead of step-by-step. Hereby the time needed to reduce vibrations between steps is eliminated.

主权项

1. A method of performing electron tomography on a sample, said sample mounted on a sample holder in an electron microscope, the electron microscope comprising an electron source for generating a beam of energetic electrons along an optical axis and optical elements for focusing and deflecting the beam so as to irradiate the sample with a beam of electrons, the sample holder capable of orienting and tilting the sample with respect to the electron beam, the method comprising:
acquiring a tilt series of images by irradiating the sample with the beam of electrons, each image acquired at an associated unique tilt angle, the images recorded on a camera with a read-out speed, wherein:
the tilt angle is changed continuously while acquiring the tilt series of images, anda position of the sample is changed continuously to keep the sample on the optical axis.