Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is a technique used in the field of microscopy to examine the ultrastructure of a specimen at a highly magnified level. It involves the use of an electron microscope, which employs a beam of high-energy electrons instead of light to view the specimen. The electrons are transmitted through a thin, sample-containing section, hence the name "transmission" electron microscopy.
In TEM, the specimen is usually extremely thin, typically ranging from 50 to 200 nanometers, to allow the electrons to pass through. As the electrons travel through the specimen, they interact with its atoms, resulting in the formation of an image that is captured by an electronic detector.
This technique enables researchers to obtain a detailed, high-resolution image of the specimen, revealing its internal structure and fine details such as individual cells, cell components, and even the arrangement of atoms within the specimen. The magnification achieved by TEM can reach up to several million times, providing insight into the nanoscale structure of materials.
TEM is widely used in various scientific fields, including biology, materials science, nanotechnology, and medicine, to investigate a wide range of samples such as cells, tissues, nanoparticles, viruses, and crystalline materials. It has significantly contributed to our understanding of the microscopic world, enabling researchers to visualize and study objects on an atomic and molecular level that cannot be achieved with traditional optical microscopes.
