Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Lab

MfN - Museum für Naturkunde

last updated: July 19, 2023

About the Laboratory

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Lab

MfN - Museum für Naturkunde

@ Science Programme Evolution and Geoprocesses / Department of Impact and Meteorite Research

This Laboratory is part of:

Geochemical and Microanalytical Laboratories laboratory complex
Networks: Geo.X

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Description

The Scanning Electron Microscopy Lab houses a JEOL JSM-6610LV scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM is equipped with a LaB₆ cathode and is coupled to a Bruker Quantax 800 energy-dispersive X-Ray spectrometer, a cathodoluminescence detector, and an electron-backscatter diffraction detector. The SEM is typically used for structural and chemical analysis of rocks, minerals, and fossils. The large sample chamber holds objects up to ten centimeters in size. The SEM can be operated in a low-vacuum mode so that also uncoated (as-is) or not fully vacuum-resistant samples can be examined. Using an e-flash EDS detector, element distribution maps in thin slices of rock can be created and special phases can be found in a short time.

Instruments

The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is one of the most versatile and widely used tools of modern science as it allows the study of both morphology and composition of biological and physical materials. By scanning an electron probe across a specimen, high resolution images of the morphology or topography of a specimen, with great depth of field, at very low or very high magnifications can be obtained. Compositional analysis of a material may also be obtained by monitoring secondary X-rays produced by the electron-specimen interaction. Thus detailed maps of elemental distribution can be produced from multi-phase materials or complex, bio-active materials. Characterization of fine particulate matter in terms of size, shape, and distribution as well as statistical analyses of these parameters, may be performed. There are many different types of SEM designed for specific purposes ranging from routine morphological studies, to high-speed compositional analyses or to the study of environment-sensitive materials. The Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis presents three particular types of SEM that, in combination, provide a powerful analytical approach for many research or quality-control applications. Additional information available at "http://www.uq.edu.au/nanoworld/sem_gen.html" [Summary provided by The University of Queensland] (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
SEM - Scanning Electron Microscope

Analytical Methods

EBSD - Electron Backscatter Diffraction
CL - Cathodoluminescence Microscopy
Cathodoluminescence
The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is one of the most versatile and widely used tools of modern science as it allows the study of both morphology and composition of biological and physical materials. By scanning an electron probe across a specimen, high resolution images of the morphology or topography of a specimen, with great depth of field, at very low or very high magnifications can be obtained. Compositional analysis of a material may also be obtained by monitoring secondary X-rays produced by the electron-specimen interaction. Thus detailed maps of elemental distribution can be produced from multi-phase materials or complex, bio-active materials. Characterization of fine particulate matter in terms of size, shape, and distribution as well as statistical analyses of these parameters, may be performed. There are many different types of SEM designed for specific purposes ranging from routine morphological studies, to high-speed compositional analyses or to the study of environment-sensitive materials. The Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis presents three particular types of SEM that, in combination, provide a powerful analytical approach for many research or quality-control applications. Additional information available at "http://www.uq.edu.au/nanoworld/sem_gen.html" [Summary provided by The University of Queensland]
The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is one of the most versatile and widely used tools of modern science as it allows the study of both morphology and composition of biological and physical materials. By scanning an electron probe across a specimen, high resolution images of the morphology or topography of a specimen, with great depth of field, at very low or very high magnifications can be obtained. Compositional analysis of a material may also be obtained by monitoring secondary X-Rays produced by the electron-specimen interaction. Thus detailed maps of elemental distribution can be produced from multi-phase materials or complex, bio-active materials. Characterization of fine particulate matter in terms of size, shape, and distribution as well as statistical analyses of these parameters, may be performed. There are many different types of SEM designed for specific purposes ranging from routine morphological studies, to high-speed compositional analyses or to the study of environment-sensitive materials. The Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis presents three particular types of SEM that, in combination, provide a powerful analytical approach for many research or quality-control applications. Additional information available at "http://www.uq.edu.au/nanoworld/sem_gen.html" [Summary provided by The University of Queensland] (Source: NASA; UUID: 04e586f0-569b-467d-b9ca-b43bc6802f4b) (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
SEM - Scanning Electron Microscopy
The Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray (EDAX) is a tool that determines the chemical composition of elements.
The Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-Ray (EDAX) is a tool that determines the chemical composition of elements. (Source: NASA; UUID: b3a7155c-5089-4388-a148-8d4defc520f8); Measurement method of X-Ray fluorescence analysis in which the energies and intensities of characteristic X-radiation are used to measure amounts of elements. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0302) (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
EDAX - Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-Ray
EDS, EDX, EDXA, EDXS, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Microanalysis, Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-Ray Analysis, Energy-dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, XEDS

Laboratory Keywords

In addition to the instruments and analytical methods listed above, these keywords help to describe the work done in the laboratory. This may include the type of samples, standard materials, specific preparative or analytical methods and specific instrument characteristics.

Element Distribution Maps

Disciplines

Geoscience > Geochemistry > Mineralogy
Mineralogy
Geoscience > Geochemistry > Petrology
Petrology

The Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Lab

MfN - Museum für Naturkunde

About the Laboratory

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Lab

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Description

Instruments

Analytical Methods

Laboratory Keywords

Disciplines

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