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DOE OSTI · 1055402

Dynamic Transmission Electron Microscopy

Evans, James E.·Jungjohann, K. L.·Browning, Nigel D.
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Abstract

Dynamic transmission electron microscopy (DTEM) combines the benefits of high spatial resolution electron microscopy with the high temporal resolution of ultrafast lasers. The incorporation of these two components into a single instrument provides a perfect platform for in situ observations of material processes. However, previous DTEM applications have focused on observing structural changes occurring in samples exposed to high vacuum. Therefore, in order to expand the pump-probe experimental regime to more natural environmental conditions, in situ gas and liquid chambers must be coupled with Dynamic TEM. This chapter describes the current and future applications of in situ liquid DTEM to permit time-resolved atomic scale observations in an aqueous environment, Although this chapter focuses mostly on in situ liquid imaging, the same research potential exists for in situ gas experiments and the successful integration of these techniques promises new insights for understanding nanoparticle, catalyst and biological protein dynamics with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution.

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Dynamic TEMEnvironmental Molecular Sciences Laboratoryin situ TEMUltrafast Electron Microscopy

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BibTeXRIS

Evans, James E., Jungjohann, K. L., Browning, Nigel D.. 2012-10-12. Dynamic Transmission Electron Microscopy. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1055402

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DOE OSTI2013

Enabling direct nanoscale observations of biological reactions with dynamic TEM

Biological processes can occur over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales; from femtoseconds to hours and from angstroms to meters. Although no single experimental method can fully cover this entire phase space, many new biological insights can be expected from a better understanding of the processes that occur on the very fast timescales and very small length scales. In this regard, new instruments that use fast x-ray or electron pulses are now available that are expected to reveal new mechanistic insights for macromolecular protein dynamics. To ensure that any observed conformational change is physiologically relevant and not constrained by three-dimensional crystal packing, it would be preferable for experiments to utilize smaller protein samples such as single particles or two-dimensional crystals that mimic the target protein’s native environment. These samples aren’t typically amenable to x-ray analysis, but transmission electron microscopy has successfully imaged such sample geometries for over 40 years and permits data acquisition using both direct imaging and diffraction modes. While conventional transmission electron microscopes (TEM) have only visualized biological samples with atomic resolution in an arrested or frozen state, the recent development of the dynamic TEM (DTEM) extends electron microscopy capabilities into dynamics. A new 2nd generation DTEM that is currently being constructed has the potential to observe live biological processes with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution by using pulsed electron packets to probe the sample on the micro- and nanosecond timescale. In addition to the enhanced temporal resolution, the DTEM also operates in the pump-probe regime that can permit visualizing reactions propagating in real-time. This article reviews the experimental parameters necessary for coupling DTEM with in situ liquid microscopy to allow direct imaging of protein conformational dynamics in a fully hydrated environment.

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