The intermediate size direct detection detector for electron microscopy

In a longstanding effort to overcome limits of film and the charge coupled device (CCD) systems in electron microscopy, we have developed a radiation-tolerant system that can withstand direct electron bombardment. A prototype Direct Detection Device (DDD) detector based on an Active Pixel Sensor (APS) has delivered unprecedented performance with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio (approximately 5/1 for a single incident electron in the range of 200-400 keV) and a very high spatial resolution. This intermediate size prototype features a 512×550 pixel format of 5mm pitch. The detector response to uniform beam illumination and to single electron hits is reported. Radiation tolerance with high-energy electron exposure is also impressive, especially with cooling to -15 °C. Stable performance has been demonstrated, even after a total dose of 3.3×10 6 electrons/pixel. The characteristics of this new detector have exciting implications for transmission electron microscopy, especially for cryo-EM as applied to biological macromolecules.