Laboratory of Scanning Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis - Instytut Nauk Geologicznych

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Scanning Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Laboratory

Room 0.28

Staff

Manager: prof. dr hab. inż. Marek Michalik
room: 3.13
phone: +48 604 147 828
e-mail: marek.michalik@uj.edu.pl

dr inż. Irena Brunarska
room: 0.28, 3.23
phone: +48 12 664 43 12; +48 601 501 856
e-mail: irena.brunarska@uj.edu.pl
scientific publications: Irena Brunarska

mgr inż. Anna Łatkiewicz
room: 0.28
phone: 12-664-4312
e-mail: anna.latkiewicz@uj.edu.pl 

      

 

Equipment

Hitachi SU8600 Cold Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope with Bruker XFlash 7 and QUANTAX FlatQUAD microanalysis system

The Hitachi SU8600 ultra-high resolution cold field emission scanning electron microscope was installed in November 2023, marking the first Hitachi electron microscope of its class in Poland.

Research Capabilities

  1.  Imaging of various solid samples at magnifications up to 2,000,000x, including: rocks, minerals, fossils, chemical compounds, dust, powders, alloys, soils, archaeological artifacts, ceramics, properly prepared biological material, composites, aerosols, plastics, and others. 
  2.   Ability to perform rapid chemical analysis in microareas - point, line, and area scans, as well as quantitative elemental mapping. We invite all researchers interested in SEM-EDS analysis to collaborate with us.

Characteristics and Technical Parameters:

  • Ultra-high resolution (0.6nm at 15kV). A high-brightness cold field emission source from Hitachi provides ultra-high resolution images even at very low voltages (magnification X2000k at 0.80kV).
  • Five electron signal detectors: secondary electrons (SE) and backscattered electrons (BSE), including an intelligent detection system for low-voltage BSE imaging.
  • Fast BSE imaging: a new Out-Column BSED (OCD) scintillator detector.
  • Transmitted signal detector for bright and dark field STEM imaging (BF and DF STEM).
  • Cathodoluminescence detector (CLD).
  • EDS XFlash 7 detector enables rapid elemental analysis from Be to Cf.
  • QUANTAX FlatQuad X-ray detector with high signal acquisition speed, enabling real-time mapping, quantitative mapping, and mapping of samples with varying morphology.
  • Spacious sample exchange chamber - the ability to introduce samples with a diameter of up to φ150 mm or several samples at once in the microscope.
  • SEM MAP option using a macro image of samples in the chamber for easier navigation.
  • Flexible interface - configuration of two monitors allows for simultaneous display and recording of 6 signals to obtain more information in a shorter time. One monitor can simultaneously display 1, 2 or 4 signals, including a view of the entire chamber or SEM MAP.
  • Hitachi Map 3D image analysis software - 3D texture reconstruction, particle analysis, statistical analysis and classification of particles, measurement of size and orientation of fibers, analysis of EDS maps.
  • Esprit Features program enabling statistical analysis of particles with classification based on chemical composition.
  • ZigZag option enabling automatic acquisition of a series of high-resolution images and their combination into a single image.

 

Hitachi S-4700 scanning electron microscope with Thermo Scientific microanalysis system


The Hitachi S-4700 is a high resolution, cold field emission SEM. It operates in range of 0.5 to 30 kV, with a magnification range of 30X to 500,000X. It is equipped with two secondary electron (SE) detectors, backscatter electron (BSE) detector (YAG), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) detector, cathodoluminescence (CL) detector and spectrometer. Image resolutions of 2.1nm (at 1kV) and 1.5nm (at 15kV and 12mm working distance) are achievable with secondary electron images.
Microanalysis is based on characteristic X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) manufactured by Thermo Scientific. Si(Li) detector with 134 eV resolution and 30mm2 active area enables the detection of elements down to boron. 
Large sample chamber allows examination of samples of up to 60-70 mm in diameter and 20 mm in height. 
Laboratory is oriented towards analysis of microstructure, morphology and chemical composition of samples in 2D and 3D. Laboratory performs analyses of various materials, e.g.: 

  • geological samples - minerals, rocks and ores, 
  • rocks, minerals and metals weathering or oxidation products, products of experimental mineral transformations,
  • biological materials,
  • industrial products and wastes (e.g. fly ash, bottom ash, metallurgical slags, waste incineration residues),
  • atmospheric aerosols (including nanoparticles), particulate matter emitted from various sources,
  • ceramic materials, 
  • metallurgical samples,
  • new materials, new therapeutic agents and medicines,
  • archaeological artefacts, works of art.

Laboratory collaborates with professionals from numerous scientific and industrial institutions locally and internationally. Experienced and skillful staff can help users in routine work and support in solving analytical problems.

Photogallery(1)
Photogallery(2)

Gold and carbon sputter coaters

  •  
  • Quorum Q15OT ES plus
  • Cressington 208HR
  • ​Cressington 208 carbon

ZONE SEM II - UV cleaning device for samples