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The SHL is a newly designed objective lens for high-resolution observation at low accelerating voltages. Unlike the semi-in lens SEM, with a large electromagnetic field below the lens, which was widely used for high-resolution, low kV observation, the SHL achieves high resolution by superimposing a magnetic field onto the electrostatic field to suppress magnetic field leakage. Therefore, the SHL is suitable for the high resolution observation of magnetic materials and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) even at short WD, which were difficult with the semi-in lens type SEMs. The SHL type SEM can also be configured for low vacuum operation while the semi-in lens type cannot.

Using Minimal Fringe Illumination and Coma-Free Image Shift an unprecedented throughput is possible on a JEOL CRYO ARM™. Given that a typical structure as published on EMPIAR requires 4-5000 images, the potential therefore exists of solving roughly 4-5 structures per day using a JEOL CRYO ARM™.

STEM-in-SEM (Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy in an SEM) has become a popular technique for biologists, polymer scientists and materials scientists for its ease of use, cost effectiveness and high resolution. It is especially suited to investigation of the internal structure of thin film (50-100nm) samples as well as size and shape of submicron to nanometer particles. With standard SEM imaging modes and EDS analysis on bulk samples, there are limitations in the ultimate resolution that can be achieved due in part to the beam-sample interactions. With STEM-in-SEM, the sample is very thin and the interaction volume is greatly reduced, which allows for sub-nanometer resolution and nanoscale analysis. One of the main challenges to EDS analysis using STEM-in-SEM is how to reduce the hard X-ray contribution from the detector and chamber (generally peaks from Al and Si). JEOL has designed a dedicated Analytical holder with a carbon retainer that greatly reduces these spurious peaks allowing for more accurate analytical data.

The ability to increase the probe current for fast microanalysis, while still maintaining a small spot size and small volume of excitation for high resolution, has been the holy grail of microanalysis in SEM. One of the unique features of JEOL’s FE SEMs is the patented Aperture Angle Control Lens (ACL). This lens automatically optimizes for both high resolution imaging at low probe currents and high spatial resolution X-ray analysis at high probe currents with a seamless transition between the two. This is essential for rapid analysis and superb image quality and is particularly true for low kV microanalysis. The ACL works by considering effects of all aberrations (spherical, chromatic and diffraction limitations) on spot size and automatically optimizing the convergence angle.

OBF System - Live Low Dose, Light Element Imaging

Wet specimens are notoriously difficult to image in scanning electron microscopes (SEM) owing to evaporation from the required vacuum of the specimen chamber. Traditionally, this issue has been addressed by increasing the specimen chamber pressure. Unfortunately, observation under high specimen chamber pressure cannot prevent the initial evaporation effects. The wet cover method, where the original surface water is retained (and, therefore, considered wet), provides a way to introduce and subsequently image specimens that are sensitive to evaporation within a SEM, while preventing evaporation-related damage, and to observe interesting specimen–water interactions.

The features and benefits of a new cutting-edge windowless energy-dispersive detector (EDS) detector are introduced.

JEOL’s Particle Analysis Software 3 (PA3) enhances the capability of your analytical SEM by automating the detection, EDS analysis and classification of particles, grains or other features in your samples. Fully integrated with our SEM-EDS systems, PA3 increases throughput and productivity by providing fast, unattended measurements across large areas of a sample, or multiple samples.

Phase Analysis provides a new level of automation to your JEOL EDS data analysis and interpretation workflows

When a sample is exposed to the electron beam in a scanning electron microscope a variety of signals are generated. X-rays being one of those signals that can provide valuable insight into a materials chemical makeup. The collected X-ray signal includes background X-ray radiation and more importantly, X-rays of specific energies, that are characteristic of the elements present in the sample. For this reason, an energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS) is one of the most common detectors that is added to a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It is used to not only determine the elements present in a sample but in many instances can give insight to the quantity as well as the spatial distribution of these elements over very small volumes.

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