Hitachi High Technologies has launched the HT7700 120kV transmission electron microscope designed for biomedical research and research and development (R+D) for pharmaceuticals and nanotechnology.
The HT7700 features 100 per cent integration of all functions into the graphical user interface (GUI) and is optimised for high-contrast imaging at low electron doses.
It features a high-sensitivity real-time digital CCD camera, which enables all microscope functions to be performed through the GUI, including set-up, alignment, image adjustment and image acquisition.
Practical operation is performed on a console separate from the electron column, similar to scanning electron microscopes; this reduces the installation space required and makes the instrument easier and more intuitive to use by ensuring that all functions are available in one location.
The integrated real-time camera provides higher sensitivity than a traditional fluorescent screen, so live high-contrast imaging is performed easily in a fully lit room and traditionally challenging low-contrast specimens can be easily observed.
Similarly, beam-sensitive specimens can be more easily observed than previous-generation instruments, which required higher illumination levels in order to observe meaningful contrast by eye on a fluorescent screen.
The standard high-sensitivity, real-time camera can also be supplemented with a choice of higher-resolution CCDs, which are also fully integrated into the HT7700 user interface.
Enhanced digital imaging capabilities include Hitachi's EMIP-SP image management system for image archiving, classification and video acquisition, as well as fully integrated dual-axis auto-tile series acquisition (optional) and EMIP-3D three-dimensional reconstruction software (optional).
The high-performance turbo molecular pumping system is part of Hitachi's eco-friendly design and ensures good vacuum and low contamination rates as well as low power consumption.
