When compared to SEMs, TEMs provide images with higher resolution, offer data on atoms and crystals, create 2D images that are simpler to understand than 3D SEM images, and let users look at more features of a sample.
The two types of electron microscopy that are most frequently used are transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Even though the underlying concepts of both approaches are the same, their equipment and the signals that are examined differ significantly.
SEM uses low-energy electrons that allow us to identify the morphology of the object of study, i.e. size, shape, roughness.
TEM uses high-energy electrons that allow us to analyze small samples of a few microns, obtaining their crystallographic structure and phase identification.
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) are both powerful tools, but they have different strengths depending on what you need to analyze.
Advantages of TEM over SEM:
Higher Resolution: TEM can achieve much higher resolution images, allowing you to see details at the atomic level.
Internal Structure Analysis: TEM is excellent for examining the internal structure of samples, providing detailed information about the arrangement of atoms and molecules.
Crystallographic Information: TEM can provide crystallographic and atomic data, which is crucial for materials science and nanotechnology.
2D Imaging: TEM produces 2D images that can be easier to interpret for certain types of analysis3.
However, it’s important to note that TEM requires very thin samples and more complex preparation compared to SEM24. SEM, on the other hand, is better for surface imaging and can handle a wider variety of sample types with simpler preparation.
It depends upon the depth of the Finding we really are intrested and the type of sample that we are studying. TEM is very powerful tool to understand understand the details of the mechanism in higher resolutions however same information can be acheived by SEM as well if operated skilfully .