High-resolution biological microanalysis in the field-emission STEM

Abstract

The recent availability of a cryotransfer stage, efficient electron energy loss spectrometers (EELS), and ultrathin window energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometers (EDXS) for the VG Microscopes HB501 field-emission STEM now provides this instrument with the potential for high resolution (<20 nm) biological microanalysis. In practice, limits are normally imposed by the sample itself, due to damage in the electron beam and to changes in structure and composition during freezing, sectioning, transfering and freeze-drying. We have therefore investigated what types of useful high-resolution analytical information can be obtained from rapidly frozen samples, including thin tissue cryosections and frozen isolated macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies.Frozen-hydrated samples were cryotransfered at ~-175C into the VG STEM after which a vacuum of ~3x10-9 mbar was maintained. Samples were freeze-dried by warming to ~-90C over 30 min and were then recooled to below ~-160C to minimize radiation damage and contamination during analysis. Digital annular dark-field images were obtained at low dose (~10 e/Å2) with single electron sensitivity, using a probe current of 2 to10 pA and a beam energy of 100 keV.