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Research Technical Services

Electronic microscopy of tracking

(MERE)

The electronic microscopy of tracking (Scanning electron microscopy SEM) consist in following the surface of the sample with a bundle of electrons focused. Provide some images of the sample of high resolution and high depth of field. The SEM is one of the tools more used to provide images with a lot of detail. Associated with a detector of X-ray by separation of energies (energy dispersive x-ray spectoscopy EDS) offer an identification of almost well all the elements of the periodic table.

It is a very useful tool when the optic microscope does not manage to give the resolution that the user needs.

We can offer personalised attention. The user him invited to accompany the officer in the realisation of the study. This makes it increase the confidence and the confidentiality of the process is guaranteed.

Electronic microscope of Rastreig TESCAN CLARA

Job request

In order to request the analysis of a sample for MER, you have to put in touch with the staff responsible for the team, or sending a correu-e to umb.str@udg.edu.

It be necessary to inform the results of the toxicity, precautions of storage and once given, if does not come to search the sample after a week, the remainder of this it will be destroyed.

The equipment

Electronic microscope of tracking TESCAN CLARA

Year:
2024
Resolution:

0.9 nm in 15 kV
Voltage of acceleration:
30kV
Useful increase:
 x 1.000.000
Photographic register:
Digitised image of until 16384 x 16384 pixels
Detectors:
· secondary electrons (HIM)
· electrons retrodispersed (BSE)
· secondary electrons down emptiness (GSE)
· electrons for transmission of tracking (STEM)
· X-ray for separation of energies (EDX)

Characteristics:
  • System of microanalysis of X-ray for separation of energies (EDX) Bruker X Flash 7
  • Resolution: 129 eV (Mn Kα, 1000 cps)
  • Detector: Silicon detecting droplet drift (SD3) with ultrafine window of polymer.
  • Detect elements of number atomic equal or superior 5 (B)
  • System of low emptiness until 500 Bread
  • Platen refrigerated until -50 ºC
  • Complementary devices for the preparation of samples
  • Associated computer equipment

How does it work?

  • The sample has to resist the emptiness of the inside of the device.
  • The sample has to be conductive. Otherwise, he has to undergo procedures of evaporated cash to make her driver.
  • The size of the sample has to be compatible with the dimensions of the portamostres. We can introduce samples of until 8 cm2 and 1 weighty Kg. Because of that, we sometimes need to cut her.
  • Obtaining the resolution that we offer often remains conditioned (limited) by the characteristics of the sample and its preparation.
  • Many of these limitations are solved with the suitable preparation of the sample. 

Advantages of the technique

  • Very good non destructive qualitative method of analysis of the analysed sample.
  • Obtaining of the analysis (100 seg) Rapida.

Limitations of the technique

  • The sample has to resist the emptiness of the inside of the device.
  • Some materials are not stables in the bundle of electrons.
  • Limit of detection conditioned to the homogeneity of the sample.
  • If wants to make one analysis EDX and to have to cover the sample with one evaporated of Carboni, to make her driver, can affect to the quantification of C typical of the sample.
  • Sensitivity limited by the elements of low I number atomic.
  • Quantitative semi analysis for samples that are not pages, neat or homogeneous.

Applications / Practical cases

  • Obtaining of images with high resolution
  • Elementary microanalysis and characterisation of particles
  • Depth of field elevated. All the image is seen focused.

Fields of application

  • Biology and Medicine: Ultrastructural studies of fabrics and organs of alive essers and its pathologies. Immunolocalització
  • Geology: Mineralògics studies, petrològics cristal·logràfics y.
  • Characterisation of materials: Structural studies in materials like metals, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, etc.
  • Metallurgy: Quality assurance. Studies of corrosion, fissures, deposits and fractures.
  • Restoration: Structural and chemical studies in works of art. Degradation and characterisation in monuments.
  • Control of quality and maintenances in industry: Studies in waters purification systems. Studies of surfaces: corrosion, fissures, deposits, etc. Evaluation and verification of the technical characteristics of the supplied and produced product.
  • Archaeology and Palaeontology: Archaeological tools. Forensic studies Study of archaeological teeth to determine their diet. Palaeobotany.
  • Expert's reports and forensic applications.

More information:

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