Patent US 7,745,786

A method and apparatus allowing for simultaneous direct viewing and electronic capture of images in an electron microscope (TEM). For this, the usual opaque direct viewing plate in the TEM is replaced in form and in function by a two-sided direct viewing plate including at least one scintillator. This plate produces light emissions from both its upper and lower surfaces, which allows an electronic camera below the plate to be used simultaneously with direct human viewing from above the plate. The method and apparatus are also compatible with traditional permanent image recording units that are often desired in such microscopes.