Furthermore, as the pressure can be brought to a very low level, an ESEM will revert to typical SEM operation without the above disadvantages. Therefore, one may trade-off the ESEM characteristics with those of SEM by operating in a vacuum. A reconciliation of all these disadvantages and advantages can be attained by a properly designed and operated universal ESEM.
Furthermore, as pressure decreases, an ESEM switches to typical SEM operation without these issues. Thus, one can compare the ESEM's characteristics with those of SEM by operating in a vacuum. Achieving a resolution for all these advantages and disadvantages can be accomplished through a properly designed and operated universal ESEM.