Abstract: A specimen support tool for supporting a slice prepared by using a microtome includes a specimen support member on which a groove for guiding the slice is formed.

Abstract: An electron microscope includes an electronic optical system that irradiates a specimen with an electron beam and forms an image; a camera that includes an image sensor and outputs a frame image; and a computation unit that generates an image based on the frame image. The computation unit sets a threshold; and binarizes the frame image using the threshold, and generates the image based on the binarized frame image. In setting the threshold, the computation unit repeatedly sets a tentative threshold, acquires a plurality of the frame images obtained on a condition that electrons entering the image sensor follow Poisson process, binarizes each of the plurality of acquired frame images using the tentative threshold, generates an integrated image by integrating the plurality of binarized frame images, and obtains a normalized constant based on a mean and variance of pixel values of pixels of the integrated image.

Abstract: A retainer is placed on a retainer holding portion formed on a sample chip worktable. With an operation of a button, a take-out support mechanism operates. That is, an upthrust pin moves upward. With this process, an orientation of a sample chip stored in the retainer is changed from a horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation. A plurality of openings through which the upthrust pin passes are formed in the retainer.

Abstract: There is provided a sample support capable of easily placing a sample into position. The sample support is used such that a sample floating on the surface of water is scooped and held. The sample support has: a first region on which the sample is to be placed; and a second region of higher wettability than the first region.

Abstract: A specimen pretreatment method for transferring a specimen supported by a first specimen supporting tool to a second specimen supporting tool, the specimen pretreatment method including: transferring a specimen supported by the first specimen supporting tool to a film; immersing the film and the specimen on the film in a liquid to dissolve the film; and recovering the specimen from the liquid and supporting the specimen with the second specimen supporting tool.

Abstract: A specimen support tool for supporting a slice prepared by using a microtome includes a specimen support member on which a groove for guiding the slice is formed.

Abstract: An observation method includes placing a specimen on a specimen supporting film of a specimen support, attaching the specimen support to a retainer, attaching the retainer to an optical microscope retainer holding base, attaching the optical microscope retainer holding base to a specimen stage of an optical microscope and observing the specimen under the optical microscope, attaching the retainer to a transmission electron microscope retainer holding base, and loading the transmission electron microscope retainer holding base into a transmission electron microscope and observing the specimen under the transmission electron microscope.

Abstract: A retainer is placed on a retainer holding portion formed on a sample chip worktable. With an operation of a button, a take-out support mechanism operates. That is, an upthrust pin moves upward. With this process, an orientation of a sample chip stored in the retainer is changed from a horizontal orientation to an inclined orientation. A plurality of openings through which the upthrust pin passes are formed in the retainer.

Abstract: There is provided a sample support capable of easily placing a sample into position. The sample support is used such that a sample floating on the surface of water is scooped and held. The sample support has: a first region on which the sample is to be placed; and a second region of higher wettability than the first region.

Abstract: An image processing method includes: acquiring an optical microscope image of a specimen; acquiring a transmission electron microscope image of the specimen having been thinned; and superimposing the optical microscope image on the transmission electron microscope image and causing a display section to display the superimposed images, and in superimposing the optical microscope image on the transmission electron microscope image and causing the display section to display the superimposed images, the optical microscope image is distorted to match a field of view of the optical microscope image with a field of view of the transmission electron microscope image.

Abstract: A distortion measurement method for an electron microscope image includes: loading a distortion measurement specimen having structures arranged in a lattice to a specimen plane of an electron microscope or a plane conjugate to the specimen plane in order to obtain an electron microscope image of the distortion measurement specimen; and measuring a distortion from the obtained electron microscope image of the distortion measurement specimen.

Abstract: An observation method includes placing a specimen on a specimen supporting film of a specimen support, attaching the specimen support to a retainer, attaching the retainer to an optical microscope retainer holding base, attaching the optical microscope retainer holding base to a specimen stage of an optical microscope and observing the specimen under the optical microscope, attaching the retainer to a transmission electron microscope retainer holding base, and loading the transmission electron microscope retainer holding base into a transmission electron microscope and observing the specimen under the transmission electron microscope.

Abstract: A distortion measurement method for an electron microscope image includes: loading a distortion measurement specimen having structures arranged in a lattice to a specimen plane of an electron microscope or a plane conjugate to the specimen plane in order to obtain an electron microscope image of the distortion measurement specimen; and measuring a distortion from the obtained electron microscope image of the distortion measurement specimen.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a sample support membrane used to support an electron microscope sample starts with forming a first layer on a first layer of a substrate (S100). A second surface of the substrate that faces away from the first surface is etched to form an opening that exposes the first layer (S102). A second layer is formed on the first layer (S104). The region of the first layer that overlaps the opening as viewed within a plane is removed to expose the second layer (S106).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a sample support membrane used to support an electron microscope sample starts with forming a first layer on a first layer of a substrate (S100). A second surface of the substrate that faces away from the first surface is etched to form an opening that exposes the first layer (S102). A second layer is formed on the first layer (S104). The region of the first layer that overlaps the opening as viewed within a plane is removed to expose the second layer (S106).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a phase plate, for use in a transmission electron microscope, with simple process steps is offered. The method includes a step (S100) of forming a first layer on a substrate, a step (S102) of patterning the first layer to form through-holes extending through the first layer, a step (S104) of etching the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the first layer is formed to form an opening which is in communication with the through-holes and which exposes the first layer, and a step (S106) of forming a second layer on the first layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a phase plate, for use in a transmission electron microscope, with simple process steps is offered. The method includes a step (S100) of forming a first layer on a substrate, a step (S102) of patterning the first layer to form through-holes extending through the first layer, a step (S104) of etching the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the first layer is formed to form an opening which is in communication with the through-holes and which exposes the first layer, and a step (S106) of forming a second layer on the first layer.