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Minimal compression of ultrathin sections with use of an oscillating diamond knife
Author(s) -
Studer,
Gnaegi
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2818.2000.00638.x
Subject(s) - diamond , compression (physics) , materials science , voltage , piezoelectricity , polystyrene , composite material , polymer , electrical engineering , engineering
With the aim to minimize compression artefacts in ultrathin sections, coincident with the stroke direction, we have invented an oscillating diamond knife. Results and theoretical considerations explaining its function are discussed. During conventional ultrathin sectioning the resultant compression is in the order of 20–35% of section height. This holds true for sections of samples embedded into Lowicryl HM20 and of the polymer polystyrene, cut with a 45° diamond knife and floated on water. The oscillating knife reduces this compression almost completely. It consists of a diamond knife on which a low voltage piezoelectric translator (piezo) is mounted, which oscillates when the piezo is driven by an alternating voltage source. No additional cutting artefacts were observed in the micrographs when they were compared with sections produced without oscillating the knife.