ZEISS Sense BSD TEM-like Imaging with Your SEM
Transmission electron microscopes (TEM) have been the preferred choice for ultrastructural imaging, although scanning electron microscopes equipped with backscatter electron detectors also enable the acquisition of high-resolution, TEM-like images. ZEISS Sense BSD combines high-resolution ultrastructural imaging with a new degree of efficiency and image quality, making TEM-like imaging possible with your SEM.
Imaging Ultrastructure with a New Degree of Speed and Quality
With superior detector sensitivity, Sense BSD can detect very small numbers of electrons and convert low signals into high-contrast images. Fast image acquisition with low acceleration voltages and low electron doses becomes possible – your biological sample can be imaged without damage, and deterioration of the image quality induced by charging effects is prevented.
Caption: Ultrastructure of Tricellaria inopinata. Sample courtesy of Harald Hausen, Sars Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Norway.
Acquisition of Single 2D Images
ZEISS Sense BSD is designed for high-resolution, high-contrast acquisition of 2D images. Low acceleration voltages and low electron doses prevent beam damage to biological samples, and yet still clearly reveal the ultrastructure of tissues or cells. Likewise, gentle excitation conditions prevent the charging effects that are a source of image quality deterioration.
Caption: Isolated immune cells from a zebrafish imaged with ZEISS GeminiSEM and ZEISS Sense BSD (1.5 kV, 88 pA, pixel size: 3 nm, dwell time: 1.6 µs, stage bias).
Acquisition of 3D Datasets using Array Tomography
Array Tomography is a method for imaging serial sections of resin-embedded biological samples, then reconstructing a 3D dataset from the image series. ZEISS Sense BSD matches perfectly with the requirements for imaging sections from biological samples: high detector sensitivity enables low kV imaging and prevents sample damage while also allowing fast imaging because fewer backscattered electrons are needed to generate high-contrast images.
Caption: Mouse Hippocampus acquired with GeminiSEM and Sense BSD (1.5 kV, pixel size: 1 nm, dwell time: 2 µs). Sample courtesy of Mark H. Ellisman, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California San Diego.