Electron Microscopy

Electron microscopy is the most exciting and challenging technique used by microscopy scientists and researchers. The wavelength of visible electromagnetic radiation, or light, is far too large to be of value in studying nanoscale structures such as atoms and molecules. Electrons on the other hand have far smaller wavelengths.

The wavelength of an electron is inversely proportional to its energy. Consequently, the more kinetic energy an electron has, the shorter the wavelength. These wavelengths can be much smaller than the atomic radius and therefore can be suitable for studying cells and sub-cellular structures. The use of this tool provides enormous benefits and advantages available to microbiology and biotechnology researchers.

Despite the remarkable magnification available in modern electron microscopes, the first instruments developed were far more limited. The first prototype was built in 1931 by a team of German scientists. It was capable of a mere four hundred fold magnification and was therefore not even as powerful as contemporary optical microscopes.

Among the first objects studied were virus particles and other biological specimens. The potential benefits to science researchers became immediately apparent. The technology advanced rapidly and the first commercial electron microscope became available in 1939.