Open AccessManipulating biological samples for environmental scanning electron microscopy observation
Author(s) -
Tai Susan S. W.,
Tang Xue Ming
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
scanning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.359
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1932-8745
pISSN - 0161-0457
DOI - 10.1002/sca.4950230407
Subject(s) - environmental scanning electron microscope , scanning electron microscope , torr , relative humidity , environmental chamber , analytical chemistry (journal) , materials science , humidity , electron microscope , biological specimen , chemistry , composite material , optics , environmental chemistry , meteorology , thermodynamics , physics
Biological samples having different characteristics were observed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The environmental conditions for untreated biological samples was determined by optimizing sample temperature and chamber pressure. When the temperature was at 4° – 6°C and chamber pressure was 5.2–5.9 Torr, the relative humidity in the specimen chamber was about 85%. Under these conditions, the surface features of the sample were completely exposed and did not exhibit charging. The images obtained from the untreated samples at different ESEM conditions were also compared with fixed and coated samples observed under high vacuum.