Webcam science -- Can a useful transmission ion microscope be built for less than {\$}1000?

Scientists and engineers build simple, low-cost, webcam-based instruments for use in many disciplines. Analysis of the optical signal received through the three broadband color filters -- red, green and blue -- form the basis of many of those instruments. The CMOS sensors in webcam pixels also produce signals in response to ionizing radiations -- such as alpha particles from a radioactive source. Simple alpha radiography has been demonstrated with an alpha source and a webcam modified to expose the sensors. The performance of a direct imaging transmission ion microscope built from such a modified webcam and a commercially available polonium-210 antistatic device mounted to an optics rail is analyzed. Potential uses and limitations of the microscope are also discussed.