MOSCOW CONFERENCE ON ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700040446-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 28, 2011
• Sequence Number: 446
• Publication Date: February 20, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for
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CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL RKH
CENTRAL I ELL N REP(
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS CD NO.
COUNTRY
USSR DATE OF
INFORMATION
1951
SUBJECT
HOW
Scientific - Electronics, electron microscope
DATE DIST.
.O Feb 1952
PUBLISHED
WHERE
PUBLISHED
Monthly periodical
Moscow NO. OF PAGES
4
DATE
PUBLISHED
Apr 1951
LANGUAGE
SUPPLEMENT
Russian REPORT NO.
TO
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SOURCE
Yu. M. Kushnir
Cand ?hys-Math Sci
The first conference on electron microscopy held in the USSR, called by
the Academy of Sciences USSR, took place at Moscow. Approximately 300 people
participated in its work. The conference demonstrated the considerable prog-
ress made by Soviet electron microscopy during recent years.
More than 60 reports on original work were read. The work was carried out
in the most varied fields of electron microscopy, such as construction of appa-
ratus, use of electron microscopes in physics metallography, biology, chemistry,
and geology.
The conference noted great progress in the USSR in the field of construc-
tion of apparatus. As is known, the first work on the creation of electron mi-
croscopes was begun in the USSR about 15 years ago, at the Power Engineering
Institute of the Academy of Sciences USSR and at the All-Union Institute of Ex-
perimental Medicine. In 1939, the State Optical Institute, on the initiative
of S. I. Vavilov, who was at that time its director, turned to the creation of
a more advanced design of the electron microscope. This work was carried out
by V. N. Vertener, Candidate of Physicomathematical Sciences, and Engineer-
Designer N. G. Zandin, under the direction of Academician A. A. Lebedyev. By
the start of World War II, the first microscope with a magnifying power of
10,000 had been constructed. Work on the creation of a USSR electron micro-
scope was not interrupted during the war. As a result, a more advanced model
was built at that time, and a government order for the production of the first
five Soviet 50-kv electron microscopes was filled in 1946. In 1949, our indus-
try began the series production of a perfected model designed by the State Op-
tical Institute.
For creating the first USSR electron microscopes, Lebedyev, Vertener, and
Zandin were awarded a Stalin Prize in 1947.
sTATe
ARMY
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From the end of 1945 on, work on the creation of nc esigns of electron
microscopes was centered at the Scientific Research Ins:' ate of the Ministry
of Electrical Industry USSR. As early as 1946, a few c.,r.ignments of 100-kv
electron microscopes (EM-100) were put out within the m:n4stry organization.
At present, a small-sized 50-kv magnetic electron micro.,.-- err, a universal
100-kv electron microscope, 50-kv electrostatic electron icroscopes, an elec-
tron microscope with permanent-magnet lenses, an apparat for preparing speci-
mens, etc., have been developed at the Scientific Research Institute of the
Ministry of Electrical Industry USSR under the direction of Academician A. A.
Lebedyev.
The above devices have a number of valuable properties. For instance, the
universal electron microscope, in addition to investigation of objects by
transmission, also permits observation of objects by reflected electron beams,
investigation of luminescent objects (in the electronic sense of the term),
continuous magnifications from optical to sLperoptical without disturbing the
vacuum in the microscope, and study of the same part of an object electromicro-
scopically and electronographically. The Scientific Research Institute of the
Ministry of Electrical Industry USSR has developed a power-supply unit with
high stability for electron microscopes of USSR construction.
As a result of the work of this institute and the State Optical Institute,
many scientific research institutes and institutes of higher learning in our
country are now equipped with electron microscopes of domestic manufacture.
It can be stated without exaggeration that, in regard to electron micro-
scopes, of which there are more than 100 in the country at this time, the USSR
holds one of the first places in the world.
In the past years, great expansion and development of the use of electron
microscopes has been .achieved in various fields of science and technology, such
as physics, organic and inorganic chemistry, metallography, biology, and geol-
ogy. In the field of physics, work can be noted on processes taking place at
the electrodes (mainly the cathode) during gas discharge (Moscow State Univer-
sity imeni Lomonosov, Scientific Research Institute of the Ministry of Electri-
cal Industry USSR), on electroerosion (Moscow State University, Kharkov State
University), in the field of electron-ionic microscopy of gases (Moscow State
University), in electron optics (State Optical Institute, Academy of Sciences
USSR, Scientific Research Institute of the Ministry of Electrical Industry USSR,
Chernovitsy University), on the interaction of electrons with matter (Moscow
Power-Engineering Institute imeni Molotov, Scientific Research Institute of the
Ministry of Electrical Industry USSR), on the action of electrons on photo
emulsions (Moscow Power-Engineering Institute), on emission and reflection mi-
croscope.,, and in the f!.eld of electron-microscopic study of photocathodes
(Scientific Research Institute of the Ministry of Electrical Industry USSR).
Interesting results were attained at the Scientific Research Institute of the
Ministry of Electrical Ind'.istry USSR in the developm- of a general method of
electron-microscopic investigations (single-stage quartz imprints and imprints
from wet objects were obtained).
In the field of chemistry, meati.?,n r^.,at be made of much, work in the field
of electron-microscopic investigation of catalysts performed at the Institute
of Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences USSR.
To this belong investigation by the method of imprints of active surfaces
of bulk catalysts and of their changes during operation, investigation of the
structure of the above catalysts and the role of creeping of atoms on the
surface during their preparation and aging, study of the effect of the method
of preparation on the structure of the catalysts, work on a method of repeated
exposure of imprints from a definite submicroscopic portion of the surface,
and work on composing topographic charts of active catalyst surfaces.
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Of the other electron-microscopic investigations cr ed out at the Insti-
tute of Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences Ui mention should be
made of work on the study of the topography and early s,;tes of chemical reac-
tions in the solid phase (pyrolysis of salts, photodecomu sition of silver
salts, etc.) as well as on the investigation of the structure of activated
carbons and inorganic adsorbents. The Scientific Resear. Physicochemical
Institute imeni Karpov made a study of particles of inor inic hydrosols and
the contact angles of small drops. Special mention shcull be given to work
connected with the electron-microscopic investigation of technologically im-
portant materials like carbon black (Institute of Physical Chemistry of the
Academy of Sciences USSR, All-Union Scientific Research Institute of the Gas
Industry), and crude rubber (Scientific Research Institute of the Tire Indus-
try, Scientifi: Research Institute of the Ministry of Electrical Industry
USSR, Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences USSR).
With the aid of the electron microscope, investigations were conducted at
the All-Union Institute of Aviation Materi, in the field of metallography;
for instance, of t better method for investigating the structure of metals
(sighting method, method of orienting the sample, investigation of isolated
phases, and other methods, as well as investigation of processes of separation
5recipitationl7 in cast aluminum and special alloys). The Ural Affiliate of
the Academy of Science: USSR investigated the initial stages of separatioL in
aluminum alloys, the mechanism of plasti- deformation of aluminum crystals and
the steel structures obtained in annealing and Isothermic separation 5recipi-
tatione. The Ural Polytechnic Institute and the Ural Affiliate of the Academy
of Sciences USSR jointly studied the smoke sublimates ffilms7 formed in steel
furnaces. A study of special steels was made by the Steel Institute imeni
Stalin.
Extremely variegated and successful investigations were conducted with the
aid of the electron microscope in the field of biology. Mention can be made of
a study of the mechanism of the action of lysis-producing agents on the bacte-
rial cell (Laboratory of Electron Microscopy at the Department of Biological
Sciences of the Academy of Sciences USSR Institute ~f Penicillin and Other An-
tibiotics), and a study of the structures of the pla_tids of plant cells in
connection with their enzymatic activity (Institute of Biochemistry of the
Academy of Sciences USSR). Work was done on the use of electron-microscopic
methods in histology (Institute of Physiology of the Central Nervous System,
Academy of Medical Sciences USSR, and the State Optical Institute), and a study
was made of the structure of muscle proteins and collagen (Chair of Biochemis-
try of the First Moscow Medical Institute, Scientific Research Institute of the
Ministry of Electrical Industry USSR). Research was done on erythrocytes (In-
stitute of Bio"hysics of the Academy of Medical Sciences USSR), on the morphol-
ogy of microorganisms (Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences
USSR, Ural Affiliate of th(-. Academy of Sciences USSR, and Sverdlovsk Oblast
Tuberculosis Institute), and on the development of a method of drop dialysis
(Laboratory of Electron Microscopy of the Department of Biological Sciences of
the Academy of Sciences USSR). A study was made of methods for obtaining thin
slices of tissue without special microtomes (Institute of Physiology of the
Central Nervous System, Academy of Medical Sciences USSR), and for cultivating
microorganisms on a supporting colloid film (Institute of Experimental Medicine
of the Academy of Medical Sciences USSR).
Some interesting investigations were carried out with the aid of the elec-
tron microscope in the field of geology: study of the structure of argilla-
ceous minerals, the composition of clays of various genetic types (All-Union
Scientific Research Geological Institute), and domestic fertilizers (Institute
of Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences and Scientific Research Insti-
tute of Fertilizers, Insecticides, and Fungicides).
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Summing up the results of all this work, the confer outlined a number
of problems which are yet to be solved by scientists in field.
The main task in the field of construction of equipm t is the creation of
electron microscopes which will allow investigation of th?_ kinetics of proc-
esses. It is also necessary that electron microscopes be -:veloped which will
not only supply pictures of the object but also permit, 1 the method of elec-
tron diffraction, quick and exact determination of the stricture of any area
selected in it, of its composition according to the loss in speed of the elec-
trons during their passage through the object, and, finally, of its electric or
magnetic fields in the vicinity of individual grains by the deflection of the
electrons. Tasks for cur industry in the field of construction of equipment,
considered absolvteiy necessary by the conference, are a considerable increase
in the output of 160-kv microscopes, and series mroduction of simplified, cheap
microscopes (which could be supplied not only to large institutes, but also to
school and factory laboratories), and of apparatus for the preparation of sam-
ples for electron-microscopic examination.
In the field of electron-microscopic investigation of the structure of
metals, it is essential to develop ? yroved methods of investigating the struc-
ture of simplex alloys, the meci.aniom of deformation and disintegration of
metals, the processes of dispersion Oeparation in high strength and heat-
resistant alloys, and the exact structure of hardened steels is essential.
For biology and medicine, the conference recommended wide use of electron
microscopy in solving one of the most important problems of contemporary biol-
ogy, namely, the problem of noncellular forms of living matter; expansion of
electron microscopy to various fields of plant and animal virusology, to the
study of the morphology of microorganisms, and to solving the problem of bac-
teriophages; also application of this method in cytological and histological
investigations, in solving problems of a biochemical character, and above all
in the study of the structure of proteins.
In the field of chemistry and geology, the conference considered it essen-
tial that a new trend of electron-microscopic investigation be developed (in
chemistry: investigation of high-molecular compounds, of fibrous substances,
and of proteins; in geolegx: investigation of microfauna, rock structures,
etc.), and also, that work be done on the improvement of technological proc-
esses by means of wide introduction of the electron microscope as a method of
investigation, control, and analysis at plants and specialized branch insti-
tutes. This concerns the investigation of the structures of rubber, which has
already been mentioned, and investigations of the structure of carbon black,
coal, phosphates, ana clays, as well as to a number of other projects in which
the electron-microscope methods may prove to be effective, such as the investi-
gation of pigments, electrode material--, the structure of artificial fibers,
cements, etc.
Considering the great spread of electron-microscopic investigations in the
Soviet Union and their importance for dovi?ct science and technology, the con-
ference petitioned the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences USSR for organiza-
tion within the academy of a permanent commission on electron microscopy with
the following tasks; coordination of work in the various fields of electron
microscopy, issuing of reports, fix' g the type and design of electron micro-
scopes and accessory apparatus, the production of which is to be organized in
our plants, etc.
At its last meeting, the conference heard a special report on questions
of health protection in work with the electron microscope, presented by the In-
stitute of Work Hygiene and Occupational Diseases of the Academy of Medical
Sciences USSR and based on the investigation of voluminous factual material.
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