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Contrast transfer function
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<p>The contrast transfer function (CTF) mathematically describes how aberrations in a <a href="/facts/Transmission_electron_microscope/Rpr8jpCn">transmission electron microscope</a> (TEM) modify the image of a sample. This contrast transfer function (CTF) sets the resolution of <a href="/facts/High-resolution_transmission_electron_microscopy/L7B2oHyr">high-resolution transmission electron microscopy</a> (HRTEM), also known as phase contrast TEM. </p><p>By considering the recorded image as a CTF-degraded true object, describing the CTF allows the true object to be <a href="/facts/Reverse-engineered/pmJCV7J7">reverse-engineered</a>. This is typically denoted CTF-correction, and is vital to obtain high resolution structures in three-dimensional electron microscopy, especially <a href="/facts/Electron_cryo-microscopy/Hjbcf4Ec">electron cryo-microscopy</a>. Its equivalent in light-based optics is the <a href="/facts/Optical_transfer_function/k9hR8A7o">optical transfer function</a>. </p>