What Techniques are Used to Achieve Nanometer Scale Resolution?
There are several advanced microscopy techniques that enable nanometer scale resolution:
1. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM): TEM uses a beam of electrons to pass through a thin specimen, providing images at resolutions as fine as 0.1 nanometers.
2. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): SEM scans the surface of a specimen with a focused beam of electrons, achieving resolutions up to 1 nanometer. It's especially useful for detailed surface morphology.
3. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM): AFM uses a cantilever with a sharp tip to scan the specimen surface, producing high-resolution images and topographical maps.
4. Super-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy: Techniques like STED, PALM, and STORM surpass the diffraction limit of conventional light microscopy, achieving resolutions down to 20 nanometers.
