Wider Research In Many Fields Now Possible

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14926, 14 March 1949, Page 2

Wider Research In Many Fields Now Possible

Electron Microscope At

Lower Hutt

Useful Magnification To 100,000 Diameters

More intensive study of certain types of research problems will be possible now that an electron microscope, the only one of its type in the Dominion, has been installed at the Dominion physical laboratory, Lower .Hutt.

Whereas good, light microscopes have a useful magnification of up to 1500 diameters, the electron microscope has inweased useful magnification to between 75,000 and 100,000 diameters.

Electron microscopes have been used as research, or routine, tools for about a decade, and it can be said that almost any problem for which the ordinary light microscope has not sufficient resolution can be handled in some way by the electron microscope. To make specimens which may be viewed in the rpicroscope sometimes taxes the ingenuity of research workers, but usually the standard techniques suffice. Magnifications obtained with the electron microscope can be comprehended from the fact, that an average human hair would'appear some 16ft in width. The Minister of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr McCoombs), who was present when p reporter visited the laboratory, said that the electron microscope would be available for research into the problems of other departments, and of industry, and would also be employed for bacteriological research.

Work at Dental School

Work has already been carried out for the Dunedin Dental School. Calls are expected from the medical school, and from other fields in which its services may be in demand. Wool fibre research workers k are exoected to seek its assistance, as well as those who are interested in metallurgical rsearch. A scientist closely associated with the working of the electron microscope emphasises that it does not replace the light microscope, but simply handles work bevond the light microscope’s capacity. The column itself, which makes up the microscooe, is about sft long, and stands vertically on a pedestal on the floor. The electron gun is at the top. Lenses are supnorted at their requisite intervals down the column, and the image is viewed on a flourescent screen at the bottom, or recorded on a photographic plate. The whole of the equivalent of the optical system is enclosed in a high vacuum, for only under such, conditions can the stream of electrons be controlled, and used to produce the enormous magnifications.