“How cold can we go?” I ask. The answer lies within the walls of the \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df. This special facility houses an ultralow-temperature high-resolution transmission electron microscope. It is a mouthful but its function is amazing.
The \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df is part of Kyoto University. More precisely, it is at the Institute for Chemical Research. This institute supports microstructural characterization for advanced functional materials. It contributes to material development research in Japan. It enhances international technological competitiveness. It also promotes the development of human resources.
Within the \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df, the advanced transmission electron microscopes stand ready. These tools are used for microstructural characterization and elemental analysis. They study organic and inorganic functional nanomaterials.
One key piece of equipment here is the ultralow-temperature high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Its official name is JEOL JEM-2100F(G5). This cryo-TEM uses liquid helium to cool samples. Samples can be held at 4.2 K. This extreme cold reduces damage from electron irradiation. Because of this, the \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df is useful for observing radiation-sensitive organic materials. It also helps scientists observe objects in liquids.
The \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df allows researchers to vitrify water by quick quenching. This means they can fix water as vitrified ice. Researchers can then observe objects as if they are still in water.
The \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df is equipped with a helium stage. The helium maintainance time is four hours. It also has a CCD camera with 2048×2048 pixel.
Another advanced tool is the spherical-aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope. This JEOL JEM-2200FS + CETCOR can achieve high-resolution observation at the atomic level. It has an in-column type omega filter. This filter is used to obtain EELS spectrum and elemental mapping.
The monochromated atomic resolution analytical electron microscope is another key instrument. This JEOL JEM-ARM200F + Double Wien filter + CETCOR and CESCOR is used for elemental mapping. It uses EDX with atomic-level resolution. It also measures EELS spectrum with high energy resolution.
The \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df also supports sample preparation. It uses FIB, a precision ion polishing system, and a dimple grinder system. These tools are essential for preparing samples for observation.
The \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df is located in room 9-2 of building 33. This is the ultralow-temperature ultrahigh-resolution electron microscope room.
The \u6975\u4f4e\u6e29\u96fb\u5b50\u9855\u5fae\u93e1\u68df and its advanced equipment demonstrate Kyoto University’s commitment to nanotechnology. It drives advances in material science. It supports the broader nanotechnology platform in Japan. It pushes the boundaries of what we can see. It allows us to understand the world at its most fundamental level.