HOLO-TEM

The Holographic Transmission Electron Microscopy (HOLO-TEM), with atomic-level resolution, enables subatomic resolution with reduced electron beam intensities, thereby minimizing radiation-induced damage to the sample. These features, along with the ability to perform holographic and tomographic analyses, make it an ideal tool for examining sensitive samples of biological and biomedical interest without damaging them.

The HOLO-TEM also features a focused cryo ion beam scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FIB/SEM+iFLM) station, which combines fluorescence and SEM imaging together with ion milling in a single instrument. Currently, this is the only microscope of its kind in Italy and one of the few in Europe with such innovative characteristics. A biological sample preparation and investigation station, equipped with a high-precision imaging system to ascertain the quality of the prepared samples at nanometric resolution, completes the laboratory.

The microscope is available to users through CERIC-ERIC and is part of the “BOL: Bio Open Lab” project funded by the Ministry of University and Research (Research and Innovation PON 2014-2020 program).

📍 The “HOLO-TEM” station is located at the “Ennio de Giorgi” Department of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Salento.