QUANTIFOIL® is a carbon film for electron microscopy or low-energy electron point source microscopy.
QUANTIFOIL® is a perforated support foil with pre-defined hole size, shape and arrangement that has advantages in electron microscopy (EM) or low-energy electron point source (LEEPS) when compared with conventional holey film. QUANTIFOIL® with circular holes is used in cryo-electron tomographic reconstruction. The roundness of the holes is advantageous with respect to the formation of an ice layer of constant thickness.
The hole size chosen depends on the magnification used, and on whether or not one wishes to include support film in the image. Assessment of the image quality is easier when foil is included in the picture, because the power spectrum of a foil is stronger than that of unsupported ice.
The surface properties of QUANTIFOIL holey carbon support film, especially the wetting properties, may have to be adapted according to one's particular requirements. Untreated aging QUANTIFOIL tends to be hydrophobic. Hydrophillicity of the foil can be achieved by glow discharging in residual air or by metal coating.
R 1.2/1.3 has 1.2 µm circular holes with a space of 1.3 µm between the holes.
R 2/1: Hole size is 2 µm. Space between holes is 1 µm. Center to center is 3 µm.
R 2/2: Hole size is 2 µm. Space between holes is 2 µm. Center to center is 4 µm.
2/4: Hole size is 2 µm. Space between holes is 4 µm. Center to center is 6 µm.
3.5/1: Hole size is 3.5 µm. Space between holes is 1 µm. Center to center is 4.5 µm.
Ordering information: QUANTIFOIL® is delivered as a carbon foil; it can be reinforced with plastic film. The grids are packed with their coated side toward the center of the grid box.