SEM Sample Holder | Desktop SEM | Thermo Fisher Scientific

Scanning transmission electron microscope sample holder

The Phenom scanning transmission electron microscopy Sample Holder for Pharos is a game-changer for researchers in a variety of fields, including battery, metals and alloys, catalysts, nanomaterials, and biological samples such as tissues. This sample holder is specifically designed for standard 3 mm TEM grids and allows for the study of these samples in transmission mode, providing unique contrast and information.

The Phenom STEM Sample Holder offers a fully automated and unparalleled STEM analysis concept for desktop systems, with the ability to switch between three different imaging modes in transmission. This offers more detailed, enhanced contrast, and more information on thin samples, making it an invaluable tool for those seeking a deeper understanding on a small length scale.

On-demand webinar: STEM imaging on a desktop FEG-SEM

Watch an overview of the STEM Sample Holder and learn how to:

Prepare, load, and image samples
Improve analysis of materials and biological sample
Achieve sub-nanometer resolution on a desktop instrument

Watch on-demand

Scanning transmission electron microscopy workflow

Our solution streamlines the transmission microscopy workflow for users who need quick answers rather than detailed ultrastructural cellular information. With our Sample Holder, scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging can be performed in under 3 minutes after sample loading, saving time and effort fully integrated into the user interface, the Phenom STEM Sample Holder offers a seamless and familiar experience for users of regular SED or BSD operating modes. With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can easily switch between bright field and dark field images, making it easy to access the information you need.

Whether you're working in an industrial or academic setting, the Phenom STEM Sample Holder for Pharos is a must-have for anyone looking to expand their application range towards nanomaterials and soft matter. Its fully automated, user-friendly design makes it a breeze to use, so you can focus on the work.

Application versatility

The FEG Desktop system now offers STEM capabilities for everyone, with fully automated imaging for bright field, dark field, and HAADF modes.

Easy to train

Full integration with the SEM user interface and easily accessible auto-functions help you effortlessly capture the images you need.

High-resolution imaging

Transmission modes allow for resolutions finer than those possible with the SED (Secondary Electron Detector).

Fast workflow

With this Sample Holder, real STEM imaging is possible; bright field (BF), dark field (DF) and high angle annular dark field (HAADF) are possible.

Scanning transmission electron microscopy is a type of electron microscopy based on transmitted electrons. The electrons that are transmitted through the sample generate a different type of contrast than in conventional SEM mode, often leading to enhanced resolution.

In scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging, the beam of electrons is focused to a very small spot, which allows for high-resolution imaging. The sample is typically mounted on a holder that can be moved in different directions, allowing for imaging of different areas of the sample.

One advantage of scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging is that it can produce high-resolution images of the atomic structure of materials. It is also useful for imaging materials that are sensitive to light or other forms of radiation, as the electron beam used in STEM imaging is less damaging to these materials.

The inclusion of automated imaging for all three imaging modes: Bright Field (BF), Dark Field (DF) and High Angle Annular Dark Field (HAADF) within the scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) system allows for a high degree of flexibility in sample characterization. The ability to switch between these imaging modes, without the need for a highly skilled operator, enables the user to easily select the imaging mode that is most appropriate for their sample, leading to optimal image quality.

Bright Field imaging is the traditional imaging mode in transmission electron microscopy, which is sensitive to the thickness and density of the sample. In contrast, Dark Field imaging is sensitive to the projected atomic number. High Angle Annular Dark Field (HAADF) imaging is sensitive to the projected atomic number but with a much higher spatial resolution than BF and DF. This makes it useful for applications that require high-resolution imaging of heavy atoms, such as imaging of biological samples.

The inclusion of automated imaging for all three modes in the scanning transmission electron microscopy system provides a high level of convenience and ease of use, enabling researchers and scientists to seamlessly switch between imaging modes to obtain the best possible image of their sample, without requiring advanced technical knowledge.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) are both types of electron microscopy that use a focused beam of electrons to obtain images of samples. However, there are some key differences between the two techniques.

One of the main differences between SEM and STEM is the way in which the image is formed. In SEM, the electrons in the beam interact with the surface of the sample, and the resulting interactions produce a variety of signals, including secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, and X-rays. These signals are then detected and used to create an image of the sample. In contrast, in STEM, a beam of electrons is transmitted through a thin sample, and the transmitted electrons are detected to create an image.

Another key difference between the two techniques is the spatial resolution that can be achieved. SEM has a lower spatial resolution than STEM, typically on the order of several nanometers. Overall, SEM is useful for obtaining images of the surface of a sample, while STEM is better suited for imaging and analyzing the internal structure of a sample, particularly at the nanoscale. Both techniques have a wide range of applications in materials science.

Transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy are both types of electron microscopy that use a beam of electrons to obtain images of samples. However, there are some key differences between the two techniques.

One of the main differences between transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy is the way in which the image is formed. In transmission electron microscopy, a beam of electrons is transmitted through a thin sample, and the transmitted electrons are detected to create an image of the sample. In contrast, in scanning transmission electron microscopy, the beam is scanned across the sample, and the transmitted electrons are detected as the beam scans across the sample. This allows scanning transmission electron microscopy to create a high-resolution image of the sample.

Overall, Transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy are both powerful tools for imaging and analyzing materials at the nanoscale, and they have a wide range of applications in materials science.