6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Electron Microscopes

One of the most impressive innovations in terms of microscope technology is the invention of the electron microscope. This type of microscope should allow researchers to take a look at specimens at a size measureable only by nanometer standards.

Basically, the use of electron microscopes offer the same principles to that of optical microscopes. But, instead of using particles of light or photons, concentrated electrons or charged particles from the outside portion of atoms are utilized to view a tiny object.

Moreover, instead of using an eyepiece to view the specimens, it requires the user to utilize the electron micrograph to view the sample on a screen. More so, you need to use coiled electromagnets in place of glass lenses. It also requires to use a thermionic gun to serve as an electron source.

Electromagnetic and electrostatic lenses are used by electron microscopes. This is consisting of a coil wire on the outside of a tube, which is called a solenoid. On top of that, these devices utilize digital displays, software, and computer interfaces, to enable image analysis or a variable pressure chamber or low vacuum. If you think this is only trivial, perhaps you should first take a look at the pros and cons of electron microscopes to be able to decide if this tool is indeed useful or not on your own standpoint.

List of Pros of Electron Microscopes

1. Powerful Magnification.
One of the advantages of the electron microscope is the power that it provides to the magnification. Thus, it can provide enhanced visibility of Nano-sized objects behind the vacuum chamber in lieu of the specimen glass.

2. Improvement in Scientific Technology.
The potential of improving the branches of science which include biology, medical and forensic sciences, gemology, nanotechnology, and metallurgy, is very achievable with this type of technology.

3. Industrial and Technological Applications.
This technology should make it possible to enhance several applications in industrial and technological fields. Such would include computer chip manufacturing, semiconductor inspection, and quality control. Likewise, it can be used as essential part of the production line.

List of Cons of Electron Microscopes

1. Costly Specimen Preparation.
This type of technology can affect the size, cost, maintenance of this tool, researchers to be trained, and image artifacts that should result from this method of preparation of specimens.

2. Bulky Type of Equipment.
In terms of its size, the electron microscope is huge, expensive piece and cumbersome equipment that should be sensitive to external magnetic fields and vibrations. In fact, it must be kept in large areas huge enough to keep the microscope for protection.

3. Upkeep Is Risky.
If you want to keep this tool to function satisfactorily, it should require stable voltage supplies, circulation of cool water, and currents to electromagnetic lens/coils. This will enable samples to avoid damage or to avoid being destroyed from the heat as byproduct of the process of keeping electrons energized.

This type of tool is one of the best scientific improvements as considered by many people. However, it depends on how useful it is to the user. Perhaps the pros and cons here provides a clear understanding about the importance of such a microscope to certain scientific testing.