Sample preparation
As described above, to be able to use the STEM mode in a SEM, similar as in TEM, the specimen needs to be thin for the electrons to penetrate through. Therefore, specific sample preparations are necessary. Conventionally, we use microtomy machine to cut big piece samples, please check our supporting equipment page for more information. And if the sample is soft, such as biological samples, it needs to be embedded in resin beforehand. However, this is not possible for certain crystalline samples, minerals for instance, such samples need special preparation method, like thin section lift-out in our FIB-SEM system.