scanning electron microscope

noun

: an electron microscope in which a beam of focused electrons moves across the object with the secondary electrons produced by the object and the electrons scattered by the object being collected to form a three-dimensional image on a display screen

called also scanning microscope

scanning electron microscopy noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The image, captured by a scanning electron microscope, was taken as the nanowires grew on silicon at room temperature. —Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016

An image of wildfire ash under a scanning electron microscope. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2020

These indestructible treasures have always been buried in matter, awaiting the invention of scanning electron microscopes and scientists with enough assiduity to spend decades on end peering into their atomic eyes. —Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2023

Images taken by a scanning electron microscope show the capillary emitters used in the electrospray system. —Kate Murphy, IEEE Spectrum, 7 Sep. 2021

Under a scanning electron microscope, the pollen grains—which resembled inflated arrowheads—were reminiscent of pollen from tiny trees and shrubs in Asia that belong to the genus Symplocos. —Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 12 Jan. 2023

The team began by inspecting the appendages of the shrimp with a scanning electron microscope . —Joseph Castro, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2011

After polishing the block with toothpaste and a damp leather cloth, Sadowski studied the flower under a scanning electron microscope. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2023

The following snow crystals were photographed using a low-temperature scanning electron microscope (LT-SEM), which is located in the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland. —Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2015

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Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

scanning electron microscope

noun

: an electron microscope in which a beam of focused electrons moves across the object with the secondary electrons produced by the object and the electrons scattered by the object being collected to form a three-dimensional image on a display screen

called also scanning microscope

compare transmission electron microscope

scanning electron microscopy noun