Sample Preparation Handbook for Transmission Electron Microscopy

Successful transmission electron microscopy in all of its manifestations depends on the quality of the specimens examined. Biological specimen preparation protocols have usually been more rigorous and time consuming than those in the physical sciences. For this reason, there has been a wealth of scienti c literature detailing speci c preparation steps and numerous excellent books on the preparation of b- logical thin specimens. This does not mean to imply that physical science specimen preparation is trivial. For the most part, most physical science thin specimen pre- ration protocols can be executed in a matter of a few hours using straightforward steps. Over the years, there has been a steady stream of papers written on various aspects of preparing thin specimens from bulk materials. However, aside from s- eral seminal textbooks and a series of book compilations produced by the Material Research Society in the 1990s, no recent comprehensive books on thin specimen preparation have appeared until this present work, rst in French and now in English. Everyone knows that the data needed to solve a problem quickly are more imp- tant than ever. A modern TEM laboratory with supporting SEMs, light microscopes, analytical spectrometers, computers, and specimen preparation equipment is an investment of several million US dollars. Fifty years ago, electropolishing, chemical polishing, and replication methods were the principal specimen preparation me- ods.

This two-volume Handbook is a comprehensive guide to sample preparation for the transmission electron microscope. Sample Preparation Handbook for Transmission Electron Microscopy: Techniques describes 14 different preparation techniques, including 22 detailed protocols for preparing thin slices for TEM analysis. Compatibility and pre-treatments are also discussed. Experimental conditions and guidelines, options and variations, advantages and constraints, technical hints from the authors’ years of experience, common artifacts, and theoretical issues are all considered. Particular attention is given to the type of material, conditioning, compatible analysis of a given preparation, and risks. This practical and authoritative reference companion deserves a place on the bench in every TEM lab.

Key Features of the Handbook:

• Combines all of the latest techniques for the preparation of mineral to biological samples
• Compares techniques in terms of their application areas, limitations, artifacts, and types of analysis (macroscopic, atomic, or molecular level)
• Describes physical characteristics, chemistry, structure/texture, and orientation properties of materials in relation to the most appropriate type of TEM analysis
• Links to a complementary interactive database website which is available to scientists worldwide*
• Written by authors with 100 years of combined experience in electron microscopy

*http://temsamprep.in2p3.fr/