BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

SEARCH

FEEDBACK

Home | Equipment | Schedules | Capabilities | Classes

Lab Capabilities

Microscopy and Analysis Techniques

SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope)

This microscope looks at outer surfaces of samples.  It produces images by scanning an electron beam across the sample.  This produces a signal which can be detected and processed into an image.  The best resolution of our microscopes is 3.5 nanometers.  Since several types of signals are produced from the sample at a time, several types of detectors can be installed on the microscope.  Each of these signals will provide a different type of information.  The types of detectors on our microscopes include Secondary Electron (SE), Backscatter Electron (BSE), and x-ray (EDS) detectors.

Cryo SEM

The cryo SEM is a standard SEM which has been fitted with a cold stage. This microscope configuration allows observation of wet samples which have been frozen.  Generally these samples will also be fractured so internal structures can be seen.

Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis

This capability is only on our SEM at present.  This system allows for digital image acquisition from the microscope as well as image analysis followed by elemental analysis.  With this system, we look at the characteritic x-rays being fluoresed from the sample and determine the elements in the sample based on the energy of each of the x-ray lines produced.

Backscatter Crystalography

With this system we are able to determine crystalographic orientation by observing the backscatter channeling patterns produced by the sample when hit by an electron beam.  This system is attached to an SEM.

TEM (Transmition Electron Microscopy)

With this instrument, very thin (<100nm) samples are observed for their internal structure.

Confocal LSM (Laser Scanning Microscope)

This insturment allows for observation of 3-dimentional images of a sample by optically sectioning the sample and re-combining the series of images into a single 3-dimentional image.

Fluorescent Microscope

This instrument allows for observing specific parts of a sample by labeling it with a fluorescent dye.  This microscope is equiped with a photometer for doing quantitative work.

Photo Microscope

We have several microscopes from which bright field, phase contrast, DIC, and low power reflected light photographs can be obtained.

Measuring Microscope

This instrument allows for quick and easy measurements accurate to 1 micrometer.

Digital Image Analysis

We have several computer which have analytical image capabilities.

Sample Preparation

Standard Chemical Preparation

This is our most common type of sample preparation. Wtth this preparation, samples are fixed in gluteraldehyde, washed in buffer, post fixed in osmium tetroxide, washed, dehydrated in an ethanol series then either dried for SEM or embeded in resin for TEM sectioning.

Freeze Substitution

This process takes quite a bit of time but can give quite good results. With this method, a sample is frozen and then allowed to sit in osmium acetone for several days to several weeks at -80 degrees C. The samples come out of the processes dehydrated, fixed and ready to either dry or embed with resin.

Freeze Etch

This sample preparation method works well when you want to see details of membrains. With this method, a sample is frozen in liquid nitrogen and fractured. The fractured surface is then replicated with a platinum carbon replica and the bio-material removed.