Leica - Ultracut 702501 Ultramicrotome Microtome

Applications & Use Cases

• Preparing ultra-thin sections of biological tissues for transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
• Sectioning polymers and other materials for high-resolution material science analysis.
• Creating semi-thin sections for light microscopy pre-screening of TEM samples.
• Sectioning hard materials like bone or ceramics after appropriate embedding.
• Preparing samples for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) when equipped with cryo-attachments.

Typical Specifications

Section thickness range

Typically from 1 nm to 5 µm, with ultra-thin sections commonly in the 30-200 nm range.

Knife types supported

Commonly supports glass knives and diamond knives for different sample types and resolutions.

Sample manipulation

Typically features precise XYZ specimen stage movement for accurate positioning.

Power supply

Units of this type commonly operate on standard laboratory power, typically 230V, 50Hz in the UK.

Vibration isolation

Often requires a stable, vibration-free bench or dedicated isolation table for optimal performance.

Typical footprint

For this class of equipment, a benchtop footprint of approximately 50-70 cm wide and 40-60 cm deep is common, plus space for ancillary equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the primary difference between a microtome and an ultramicrotome?

  An ultramicrotome is designed for cutting extremely thin sections (nanometres to low micrometres) primarily for electron microscopy, whereas a standard microtome cuts thicker sections (micrometres) for light microscopy.

• What kind of samples can be processed by an ultramicrotome?

• Are special knives required for an ultramicrotome?

• What maintenance is typically required for an ultramicrotome?

• Is special training needed to operate an ultramicrotome?