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  Volta potential phase plate for in-focus phase contrast transmission electron microscopy

Danev, R., Buijsse, B., Khoshouei, M., Plitzko, J. M., & Baumeister, W. (2014). Volta potential phase plate for in-focus phase contrast transmission electron microscopy. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 111(44), 15635-15640. doi:10.1073/pnas.1418377111.

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 Creators:
Danev, Radostin1, Author           
Buijsse, Bart2, Author
Khoshouei, Maryam1, Author           
Plitzko, Jürgen M.1, Author           
Baumeister, Wolfgang1, Author           
Affiliations:
1Baumeister, Wolfgang / Molecular Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Max Planck Society, ou_1565142              
2external, ou_persistent22              

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Free keywords: THIN-FILMS; TOMOGRAPHY; VIRUSTEM; phase plate; Volta potential; phase contrast; cryo-EM;
 Abstract: We describe a phase plate for transmission electron microscopy taking advantage of a hitherto-unknown phenomenon, namely a beam-induced Volta potential on the surface of a continuous thin film. The Volta potential is negative, indicating that it is not caused by beam-induced electrostatic charging. The film must be heated to similar to 200 degrees C to prevent contamination and enable the Volta potential effect. The phase shift is created "on the fly" by the central diffraction beam eliminating the need for precise phase plate alignment. Images acquired with the Volta phase plate (VPP) show higher contrast and unlike Zernike phase plate images no fringing artifacts. Following installation into the microscope, the VPP has an initial settling time of about a week after which the phase shift behavior becomes stable. The VPP has a long service life and has been used for more than 6 mo without noticeable degradation in performance. The mechanism underlying the VPP is the same as the one responsible for the degradation over time of the performance of thin-film Zernike phase plates, but in the VPP it is used in a constructive way. The exact physics and/or chemistry behind the process causing the Volta potential are not fully understood, but experimental evidence suggests that radiation-induced surface modification combined with a chemical equilibrium between the surface and residual gases in the vacuum play an important role.

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Language(s): eng - English
 Dates: 2014
 Publication Status: Issued
 Pages: 6
 Publishing info: -
 Table of Contents: -
 Rev. Type: Peer
 Identifiers: ISI: 000344088100022
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1418377111
 Degree: -

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Title: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Source Genre: Journal
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Publ. Info: 2101 CONSTITUTION AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20418 USA : NATL ACAD SCIENCES
Pages: - Volume / Issue: 111 (44) Sequence Number: - Start / End Page: 15635 - 15640 Identifier: ISSN: 0027-8424