Lattice Plane Resolution Checks
for Transmission Electron Microscopy

Asbestos crocidolite
Plane spacing 0.9nm and 0.45nm

The 0.9nm spacing (020) will be found along the axis of the asbestos fibers. The 0.45nm spacing (021) appears at an angle of about 60° in suitable crystal orientations. To help prevent contamination of the EM or work area with asbestos fibers, these specimens are made using a substrate sandwich technique; the asbestos is layered between a carbon and Formvar film. Mounted on a standard 3mm TEM grid.

Graphitized Carbon Black
Plane Spacing 0.34nm

Graphitized Carbon Black is a stable and highly reproducible standard and is considered to be a standard resolution test for transmission electron microscopes. Mounted on a standard 3mm TEM grid.

Oriented Single Crystal Gold Foil
Plane Spacing 0.204nm, 0.144nm and 0.102nm

Resolution, image quality, magnification and instrument stability in high performance TEMs can be checked by imaging the 0.204nm, 0.144nm and 0.104nm planar spacings in these specially prepared gold crystals. The tests are particularly recommended if height adjustments are made on the TEM specimen stage. The gold foil is mounted on a standard 3mm gold TEM grid.

Recommended storage: TEM Calibration Grid Holder