Low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM) and mirror electron microscopy (MEM) of biological specimens: preliminary results with a novel beam separating system.

Low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM) and mirror electron microscopy (MEM) utilize a parallel beam of slow-moving electrons backscattered from the specimen surface to form an image. If the electrons strike the surface an LEEM image is produced and if they are turned back just before reaching the surface an MEM image results. The applications thus far have been in surface physics. In the present study, applications of LEEM and MEM in the biological sciences are discussed. The preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of forming images of uncoated cultured cells and cellular components using electrons in the threshold region (i.e. 0-10 V). The results also constitute a successful test of a novel beam-separating system for LEEM and MEM.