Metro counting camera for groundbreaking low-dose imaging, diffraction, and in-situ studies
Cameras in transmission electron microscopy have been traditionally scintillator-based, e.g., electron-photon conversion in a scintillator with a lens/fiber-coupled CCD/CMOS sensor. However, multiple electron scattering in the scintillator and the readout noise reduce the quantum efficiency of such cameras. The alternative is eliminating the electron-photon conversion process in a scintillator and directly detect incident electrons on a radiation-hardened sensor. Gatan’s K3® camera is an example of a large array monolithic active pixel sensor that ensures a highly localized single electron detection and is optimized for high kVs (200 - 300 kV). For transmission electron microscopes operating at lower accelerating voltages (60 - 200 kV), we recently introduced the new counting camera, Metro™. The optimized electron counting at low kVs in Metro, combined with its high sensitivity and fast framerate, enables groundbreaking low-dose imaging and the detection of the faintest diffraction spots on the most electron-beam-sensitive samples. In addition, during in-situ microscopy studies, Metro delivers an unparalleled signal-to-noise ratio at low dose rates or high frame rates. This allows for pushing research boundaries for a variety of materials, including batteries, catalysts, nanotubes, polymers, and organic materials.
Presenter
Saleh Gorji, Application Specialist, Gatan & EDAX - Germany