> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.cryosparc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.cryosparc.com/cryo-em-foundations/image-formation.md).

# Image Formation

The pages in this section provide background on the physical processes that occur in the microscope to generate and detect an image.

{% content-ref url="/pages/VIbGbRFssZDHvQpr4JM2" %}
[Contrast in Cryo-EM](/cryo-em-foundations/image-formation/contrast-in-cryo-em.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/wMgsBSe2ZzNA0ekFngXN" %}
[Waves as Vectors](/cryo-em-foundations/image-formation/waves-as-vectors.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/32GhFIW0DuCbnmEhQpxt" %}
[Aliasing](/cryo-em-foundations/image-formation/aliasing.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}