Volumescope 2 Scanning Electron Microscope for serial block face imaging

The Thermo Scientific Volumescope 2 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is our state-of-the-art serial block-face imaging system. Keep control of experiments with easy to use technology and protect a wide range of possible samples with tried and tested solutions for every acquisition step.

Block face imaging

Unraveling the complex 3D architecture of cells and tissues in their natural context is crucial for structure-function correlation in biological systems and soft materials. Serial block-face SEM (SBF-SEM) combines in situ sectioning and imaging of plastic-embedded tissue blocks within the SEM vacuum chamber for automated, 3D reconstruction of large tissue volumes. Axial resolution was once limited by the minimum section thickness, but truly isotropic resolution is now possible with the addition of multi-energy deconvolution.

3D SEM

Following in situ sectioning of the block-face using a diamond knife, the freshly exposed tissue is imaged several times using increasing accelerating voltages. These images are subsequently used in a deconvolution algorithm to derive several optical subsurface layers, forming a 3D subset. By repeating this cycle, the Volumescope 2 SEM offers isotropic datasets with 10 nm Z-resolution.

Scanning Electron Microscopes

Volumescope 2 SEM

3D SEM for large volume samples with serial block face imaging and multi energy deconvolution.

 

Mouse brain sample imaged on the Volumescope 2 SEM.
Mouse brain sample imaged on the Volumescope 2 SEM. Fine features such as vesicles and synaptic clefts can be observed. Image courtesy of Dr. Gabor Nyiri, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
Volume reconstruction of a mouse heart muscle.
Volume reconstruction of a mouse heart muscle. Data acquired by a combination of physical and virtual slicing in high vacuum mode. Volume = 16 x 15 x 11 μm3 with a nominal resolution of 5 x 5 x 10 nm. Specimen courtesy of Dr. Madesh Muniswamy, Temple University, USA.

Polymer microstructures

High-resolution imaging in 3D is of great importance when trying to understand the microstructure and properties of polymer materials. The Volumescope 2 SEM combines in situ sectioning and imaging of polymers within the SEM vacuum chamber, in a fully automated fashion, for reconstruction of large volumes with truly isotropic 3D resolution. Visualizing a large volume at such resolutions is critical for revealing how regions with different microstructures affect the overall properties of the material. For example, the Volumescope 2 SEM can recreate a large representative volume of a filtration membrane, providing accurate transport properties that lead to enhanced performance predictions for new filter designs.

Polymer blend imaged with Volumescope SEM.
Serial block-face 3D imaging of a polymer blend sample. Here, the 3D volume reconstruction of the complete dataset (122 μm x 122 μm x 10 μm) is shown, with a segmented region inset revealing the particle distribution in the matrix. Sample courtesy of Dr. Armin Zankel (FELMI-ZFE Graz, Austria).

Key Features

Easy to use technology

Keep control of experiments with easy to use technology. Reuse jobs and system settings and select multiple regions of interest during job acquisition.

Visualize and navigate during acquisition

Visualize and navigate during acquisition with Thermo Scientific Amira Live Tracker Software to optimize/control your outcome/Automate large 3D volume acquisitions as well as reconstructions.

Protect valuable samples

Protect valuable samples with tested solutions at every acquisition step: debris trap and swipe features ensure sample quality; low vacuum detector enables imaging of highly charged samples.

Easy and fast mounting microtome exchange

Easy and fast mounting microtome exchange for normal SEM operation or automated array tomography with the addition of Thermo Scientific Maps Software.

Specifications

Hoja de estilo para las especificaciones de la tabla de productos
Electron optics
  • High-resolution field emission SEM column
    • High-stability Schottky field emission gun
    • Compound final lens: a combined electrostatic, field-free magnetic and immersion magnetic objective lens
  • Dual objective lens combining electromagnetic and electrostatic lenses
Source lifetime

24 months

Automation
  • Auto bakeout
  • Auto start
  • No mechanical alignments
  • Automated heated apertures
  • User guidance and column presets
Stage

Double stage scanning deflection

Electron beam
  • Continuous beam current control and optimized aperture
  • Beam current range: 1 pA to 400 nA
    • In serial block-face imaging SEM: 50 pA – 3.2 nA
  • Landing energy range: 20 eV – 30 keV
  • Accelerating voltage range: 200 V – 30 kV
    • In serial block-face imaging SEM: 500 V – 6 kV
  • Resolution at optimum working distance and routine SEM high-vacuum imaging
    • 0.8 nm at 30 keV STEM
    • 0.7 nm at 15 keV
    • 1.0 nm at 1 keV
Chamber
  • Inside width: 340 mm
  • Analytical working distance: 10 mm
  • Ports: 12
Detectors
  • Serial block-face imaging detectors
    • T1 segmented lower in-lens detector
    • VS-DBS: LoVac lens-mounted BSED
  • T2 in-lens detector
  • Everhart-Thornley SE detector (ETD)
  • IR-CCD
  • Low-vacuum SE detector
  • STEM 3+ – Retractable segmented detector
  • Additional detectors available
Vacuum system
  • Complete oil-free vacuum system
  • 1 × 220 l/s TMP
  • 1 × PVP-scroll
  • 2 × IGP
  • Chamber vacuum (high-vacuum) <6.3 × 10-6 mbar (after 72 hours pumping)
  • Low-vacuum mode up to 50 Pa for charge compensation of non-conductive samples
  • Evacuation time: ≤3.5 minutes
Sample holders
  • Standard multi-purpose holder; uniquely mounts directly onto the stage; hosts up to 18 standard stubs (Ø12 mm), three pre-tilted stubs, two vertical and two pre-tilted row-bar holders
  • Each optional row-bar accommodates six S/TEM grids
  • Wafer and custom holders

See datasheet for full list of specifications including software, accessories and a summary of installation requirements.

Resources

3D volume visualization of the fracture zone of a polymer blend (iPP/EPR particles) after tensile test.
Serial block-face 3D volume imaging of a filter membrane using the Volumescope 2 SEM.
Videos
3D volume visualization of the fracture zone of a polymer blend (iPP/EPR particles) after tensile test.
Serial block-face 3D volume imaging of a filter membrane using the Volumescope 2 SEM.
Images

Applications

Pathology_Pancreas_274x180

Investigación sobre patologías
 

La microscopía electrónica de transmisión (TEM) se utiliza cuando la naturaleza de la enfermedad no puede establecerse mediante métodos alternativos. Con las imágenes nano-biológicas, TEM proporciona información precisa y fiable para ciertas patologías.

Plant_Biology_Research_Application_274x180_144_DPI

Investigación sobre biología de plantas
 

La investigación fundamental de la biología de las plantas se hace posible mediante la criomicroscopía electrónica, que proporciona información sobre proteínas (con análisis de partículas individuales), a su contexto celular (con tomografía), hasta la estructura general de la planta (análisis de grandes volúmenes).

Fundamental Materials Research_R&amp;D_Thumb_274x180_144DPI

Investigación sobre materiales fundamentales

Se investigan nuevos materiales a escalas cada vez más pequeñas para lograr el máximo control de sus propiedades físicas y químicas. La microscopía electrónica proporciona a los investigadores información clave sobre una amplia variedad de características materiales a escala nanométrica.

 

Quality Control_Thumb_274x180_144DPI

Control de calidad
 

El control y garantía de calidad son esenciales en la industria moderna. Ofrecemos una gama de herramientas de EM y espectroscopía para el análisis multiescala y multimodal de defectos, lo que le permite tomar decisiones fiables e informadas para el control y la mejora de procesos.

 

Techniques

Análisis de grandes volúmenes

Una novedosa solución de adquisición de imágenes de cara de bloques en serie (SBFI) que combina la microscopía electrónica de barrido de deconvolución de la multienergía (MED-SEM) con cortes en secciones in situ. La automatización y las funciones fáciles de utilizar proporcionan una solución isotrópica para muestras de grandes volúmenes.

Más información ›

Large Volume Analysis

Análisis de grandes volúmenes

Una novedosa solución de adquisición de imágenes de cara de bloques en serie (SBFI) que combina la microscopía electrónica de barrido de deconvolución de la multienergía (MED-SEM) con cortes en secciones in situ. La automatización y las funciones fáciles de utilizar proporcionan una solución isotrópica para muestras de grandes volúmenes.

Más información ›

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Servicios de microscopía electrónica

Para garantizar un rendimiento óptimo del sistema, le proporcionamos acceso a una red de expertos de primer nivel en servicios de campo, asistencia técnica y piezas de repuesto certificadas.

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