Welcome to Labtech-EM, if you can’t find what you’re looking for please get in touch via our contact us page.

EM-Tec TEM grid holders for SEM

TEM samples are very thin and therefore do not exhibit signal originating from their bulk. This enables improved surface imaging and increased spatial resolution. These are clear advantages for SEM/EDX studies of thin films, fine dispersions, inclusions, precipitations and low-Z materials. An SEM or rather FE-SEM can also be used to check TEM samples or lamellas made with a FIB before inserting into a TEM.
There are two methods for imaging TEM samples and they require different types of TEM grid holders:

  • Surface imaging and investigation require TEM grid holders
  • STEM imaging which requires a special TEM grid holder with integrated conversion plate

EM-Tec TEM grids holders enable investigation of TEM samples in an SEM. An EM-Tec grid holder can also be used to quickly check the specimen (after FIB procedures) before investigating it with a TEM. EM-Tec grid holders are intended for use in an SEM, Auger, SIMS and light microscopes. They are all precision machined from vacuum grade aluminium.

There are four types of EM-Tec TEM grid holder:

  • EM-Tec TG4 SEM pin stub-based TEM grid for up to four TEM grids. Numbered positions with machined pockets and side grooves for loading/unloading TEM  grids. The TEM grids are clamped down by the top plate and a central brass screw. Through-hole size is Ø2.1mm with a 60° side angle on top and base to reduce electron and X-ray scattering interference from the holder. Available in aluminium and copper. Overall size is Ø18×3.2mm with a 15mm long standard 3.2mm pin. The longer pin creates a distance from the stage adaptor to reduce electron and X-ray signals from the SEM stage. Additionally available with stub adaptors for Hitachi M4 thread and JEOL Ø 12.2 and Ø 25mm SEM stubs.
  • EM-Tec TG6 pin stub-based TEM grid for up to six TEM grids. Numbered positions with machined pockets and side grooves for loading/unloading TEM grids. The TEM grids are clamped down by the top plate and a central brass screw. Through-hole size is Ø2.1mm with a 60° side angle on top and base to reduce electron and X-ray scattering interference from the holder. Available in aluminium and copper. Overall size is Ø25×3.2mm with a 15mm long standard 3.2mm pin. The longer pin creates a distance from the stage adaptor to reduce electron and X-ray signals from the SEM stage. Additionally available with stub adaptors for Hitachi M4 thread and JEOL Ø 12.2 and Ø 25mm stubs.
  • EM-Tec PS11 mini pin stub holder for a single TEM grid or FIB grid. The TEM grid rim rests on a ledge; in the middle of the cavity there is dimple to provide a non-touching area for the mesh of the grid. A groove is provided for easy loading/unloading of the TEM grid with fine tweezers. The TEM grid is not clamped. This holder is recommended for quickly checking a TEM grid in the SEM or as a TEM grid holder for a carbon evaporator.
  • EM-Tec PS14 mini pin stub holder for four TEM grids or FIB grids. The TEM grid rim rests on a ledge; in the middle of each cavity there is dimple to provide a non-touching area for the mesh of the grid. Grooves are provided for easy loading/unloading of the TEM grids with fine tweezers. The TEM grids are not clamped. This holder is used for quickly checking  up to four TEM grids in the SEM or as a grid holder for a carbon evaporator.

All four types of EM-Tec TEM grid holders are only available with a standard 3.2mm pin. They can be used on other SEMs, when a suitable EM-Tec SEM stub adaptor is used.

Capacity, size and compatibility of pin based EM-TEM grid holders:

Product numbers Name Capacity Dimensions w/o pin Grid holding method SEM stage compatibility
12-000279 EM-Tec TG4 4 x 3.05 TEM grid Ø18×3.2mm Clamped Standard 3.2mm pin
12-002279 EM-Tec TG4C 4 x 3.05 TEM grid Ø18×3.2mm Clamped Standard 3.2mm pin
12-000379 EM-Tec TG4H 4 x 3.05 TEM grid Ø18x27mm Clamped M4 thread
12-000579 EM-Tec TG4J 4 x 3.05 TEM grid Ø18x22mm Clamped JEOL Ø12.2mm
12-005279 EM-Tec TG4J2 4 x 3.05 TEM grid Ø25x22mm Clamped JEOL Ø25mm
12-002276 EM-Tec TG6 6 x 3.05 TEM Grid Ø 25 x 3.2 mm Clamped Standard 3.2mm pin
12-002476 EM-Tec TG6C 6 x 3.05 TEM Grid Ø 25 x 3.2mm Clamped Standard 3.2mm pin
12-002376 EM-Tec TG6H 6 x 3.05 TEM Grid Ø 25 x 27mm Clamped M4 thread
12-005176 EM-Tec TG6J 6 x 3.05 TEM Grid Ø 25 x22 mm Clamped JEOL Ø12.2mm
12-005276 EM-Tec TG6J2 6 x 3.05 TEM Grid Ø 25 x 22mm Clamped JEOL Ø25mm
10-002211 EM-Tec PS11 1 x 3.05 TEM grid Ø12.7×3.2mm gravity Standard 3.2mm pin
10-002214 EM-Tec PS14 4 x 3.05 TEM grid Ø12.7×3.2mm gravity Standard 3.2mm pin

Ordering information

1- (#12-000279)EM-Tec TG4 pin stub-based TEM grid holder for up to four
TEM grids. The longer pin creates a distance from the stage
adaptor to reduce electron and X-ray signals from the SEM stage. 

2-The TEM grids are clamped down by the top plate and a central brass screw.
Through hole size is Ø2.1mm with a 60° side angle on top and base to reduce
electron and X-ray scattering interference from the holder.

3-Top plate removed; numbered positions with machined pockets and
side grooves in the base  to facilitate loading/unloading the TEM grids with
fine pointed tweezers.