– electron gun (provides electron source)
– condenser lenses (control the electron beam)
2.1.1 Electron gun
• provides source of electrons to illuminate the specimen.
In the parallel-beam mode • usually no need to change
C1. • adjust the C2 lens to
produce an underfocused image of the C1 crossover.
focus underfocus overfocus
• good stability • long lifetime
Characteristics of the three sources operating at 100kV
Working temperature (K) Current density (A/m2)
Crossover Size (m) Brightness (A/m2sr) Energy spread (eV) Emission Current Stability (%/hr) Vacuum (Pa) Lifetime (hr)
Thermionic Emission
• If any material to be heated to a high enough temperature, the electrons gains sufficient energy to overcome the natural barrier (work function) that prevents them from leaking out to escape from the source.