2 min read
Transmission electron microscopy is a powerful imaging and analysis technique that helps scientists push research forward. But traditionally, TEM has also come with certain downsides.
For example, there’s often a steep learning curve to TEM that limits who can run the instrument. You also need to use a darkroom which causes eye strain and influences how comfortable your microscope is to use. And manual alignment takes time away from imaging work.
The HT7800 series is Hitachi's answer to these issues. It’s a modern 120 kV microscope built to keep the features you expect from TEM, while removing the friction that makes it a challenge to operate.
Built on 75+ years of expertise
The HT7800 series brings together Hitachi's long heritage in electron optics with a modern digital imaging system and a user-friendly interface. It's designed for both seasoned microscopists and for newer users who need to get productive fast.
The series comes in three variants, so you can match performance to your work rather than paying for capability you don't need:
- HT7800: Routine high-quality imaging with W or LaB₆ gun options and lattice resolution down to 0.20 nm.
- HT7820: Higher resolution to 0.14 nm (off-axis, 120 kV), suited to more demanding materials and nanoparticle work.
- HT7830: The highest-resolution option at 0.14 nm off-axis and 0.19 nm on-axis, and up to ×1,000,000 magnification.
Designed to remove friction
The HT7800 is designed around how labs actually operate, meaning shared instruments, mixed-experience users, and pressure to get more done per session.
For example:
- Load more, exchange less. A multi-specimen holder lets you load several samples at once, so you spend less time venting and swapping and more time imaging.
- Find your region of interest fast. The Whole View function automates image acquisition across large areas, giving you a fast overview of the whole sample. Locating and revisiting regions of interest can be done in a couple of clicks, which reduces manual navigation.
- Reproducible results, whoever's at the controls. Automated alignment comes as standard. That means consistent output across users and across sessions, and it lowers the skill barrier so more people in your lab can produce reliable data.
Improved “quality of life” features
The HT7800 also includes several features that make day-to-day TEM work easier.
- Dual-Mode objective lens. Switch between high-contrast mode and high-resolution mode with a single click. One system covers both delicate biological sections and high-resolution materials work.
- Work in normal room lighting conditions. The integrated CMOS screen camera means you operate under standard lighting. No darkroom needed. You also get better ergonomics, less fatigue, and a far more comfortable experience for a multi-user facility.
- Low-dose digital imaging. High-speed CMOS imaging with low-dose functionality protects beam-sensitive and delicate specimens while keeping image quality high.
A platform that grows with your lab
A TEM is a long-term investment, and the HT7800 is built to keep earning its place as your needs evolve. The series expands with:
- STEM and EDX for elemental analysis and compositional characterisation
- MirrorCLEM to correlate fluorescence microscopy with TEM imaging
- 3D electron tomography for accurate three-dimensional reconstruction from tilted image series
That flexibility means one instrument can serve several research groups and adapt as their needs change.
Who it's for
The HT7800 series was designed for multiple applications and industries.
- Life sciences and biomedical research: High-contrast imaging of stained and unstained sections, with low-dose mode for cryo-TEM and delicate specimens.
- Materials science and nanotechnology: High-resolution imaging of nanoparticles, catalysts, polymers and advanced materials, with optional STEM and EDX for compositional insight.
- Industrial and QC labs: Reproducible, easy-to-train routine analysis that doesn't depend on a single specialist to run.
