ELECTRON MICROSCOPE

Electron microscopes do not use a beam of light like conventional microscopes, but a beam of electrons.

Electrons have a wavelength up to a million times smaller than light - and the smaller the wavelength, the higher the resolution.

This makes it possible to recognize the atomic structure of a substance - that is, to decode structures that are only a few nanometers in size.

Shining through and scanning

There are two main types: transmission electron microscopes transmit an electron beam that "shines through" the object. In a scanning electron microscope, the beam scans the surface.

What is Jülich doing?

The Ernst Ruska-Centre (ER-C) operates state-of-the-art electron microscopy. Jülich researchers use them for biology, energy research and materials research. They also improve equipment and methods.