Large Area Cryo-Planing of Vitrified Samples Using Broad-Beam Ion Milling

Irene Y.T. Chang, Derk Joester*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

On account of its excellent resolution and high throughput, cryoSEM imaging has recently seen resurgence. In this work, we report on the development of cryogenic triple ion gun milling (CryoTIGM), a broad ion beam milling technique for cryo-planing of vitrified, frozen-hydrated specimens. We find that sections prepared with CryoTIGM are smooth over exceptionally large areas (∼700,000 μm2), and reveal ultrastructural details in similar or better quality than freeze-fractured samples.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1616-1621
Number of pages6
JournalMicroscopy and Microanalysis
Volume21
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 12 2015

Funding

The NSF (MRI-1229693, DMR-1106208), the Northwestern University Materials Research Center (DMR-1121262), and the International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) in part supported this work. Experiments were performed at NUANCE-EPIC and OMM, Northwestern University core facilities that are supported by the MRSEC program (NSF DMR-1121262), the IIN; and the State of Illinois. The authors thank Dr. Reiner Bleher for discussion.

Keywords

  • cryo-planning
  • cryoSEM
  • freeze fracture
  • high pressure freezing
  • ultrastructure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Instrumentation

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