Focused ion beams and life science applications: cell tomography and biomachining at ultrahigh resolution

A new technique of Focused Ion Beam (FIB) microscopy- nanomachining is proposed for life sciences. Its performances are compared with those of currently available ultramicroscopy apparatuses. Ultra-high resolution tridimensional tomography can be performed on whole cells without preparation. This can be achieved by sequentially etching layers of material and subsequently viewing the result of the operation under a different perspective. Very fast imaging times (minutes) allow quasi real time microscopy. The complementary technique of nano-biology can be performed on the same apparatus. The use of the ion beam allows to imaging both the surface and the inner part of the sample along any desired plane that can be chosen while the observation is on.