The column architecture of a scanning electron microscope has not changed dramatically in the last few decades. If you compare a SEM column from the 90’s with a SEM column that was built yesterday, the mechanics will be remarkably similar. An electron source, some lenses, beam deflectors and a detector. What has changed are the control electronics. A bit of history Before the late 90’s, most scanning electron microscopes were analogue and controlled via dials and knobs, while imaging on…