Digital Imaging

• TEM Digital Capture
• SEM Digital Capture
• Image Archiving
• B/W and Color Printing
• Negative and Print Scanning
• Image Analysis

Two transmission electron microscopes (TEM) are equipped with digital image capture systems. The Philips CM10 TEM has the Gatan Bioscan system, which has a resolution of 1024x1024 and is capable of excellent images for analysis on a computer screen. The Joel 1200 TEM has a Gatan MultiScan 791. Images from this camera have a higher level of clarity, due to the cooled CCD image capture device. Both systems capture images in a proprietary Gatan format (for optimal quality and for the best printing) through Gatan’s Digital Micrograh software. These images can easily be converted to tif files for viewing on all computer platforms.

The Hatachi S-4700 scanning electron microscope has a built-in imaging system. This CCD camera captures a high resolution image which rivals the standard silver halide photos. This is the only capture method in use on this instrument.

All images are saved to off-site servers, which are backed up every night. Subsequently, these images are archived to DVD on a regular basis. A copy of the original DVD is made and stored in a separate location. The EMCF laboratory information management system enables rapid retrieval of these images. Images from all three digital equipped microscopes can be printed to standard ink jet printers. These prints are of the highest quality possible when compared to other types of computer related printers. Archived images can usually be retrieved and printed in the same day. An Epson 980N is the workhorse printer, while an Epson Photo 2000P provides a larger format and archive-quality prints.

The Imaging Center (part of the EMCF at 1422) houses a SprintScan 45 negative scanner and an AGFA Arcus ll scanner. Both are capable of high resolution scans. These allow the user to convert old technology negatives and prints to digital images.

These images have the advantage of yielding direct, reproducible image analysis. Images can be analyzed for linear measurements using Digital Micrograph (an example of this would be cross sectional thickness of basement membranes). Digital Micrograph can also be used to determine the dispersion relation ship of particles (as when analyzing the intensity and location of immuno gold staining). Other software programs such as NIH Image and Image J can be utilized for non-linear and area measurements.