Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory

The INRS Zeiss EVO® 50 SmartSEM scanning electron microscope is equipped with different types of detectors, making it a very versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of analyses:

• Secondary electron (SE) imaging: The images obtained essentially represent the sample’s topography.
• Backscattered electron imaging (BSE): This technique provides a chemical contrast image of the atomic densities of the phases present in the sample. It is commonly used to identify heavy elements (with a high atomic number) and determine particle size.
• Variable pressure secondary electron imaging (VPSE): One of the particularities of this microscope is that it can analyze any dry sample (conductive or not) without prior treatment by adjusting the pressure of the chamber in which the sample is placed.
• Elemental microanalysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) allows point-in-time analysis of the elemental composition of very small objects and mapping of element distribution.

Specifications for the ZEISS EVO® 50 SmartSEM

• Tungsten cathode
• Acceleration voltage: 0.2–30 kV
• Resolution: 3 nm at 30 kV
• Magnification: 100 x–60 000 x
• Chamber: 365 mm (Ø) x 255 mm (h)
• 5-axis motorized compucentric stage allows travel over significant distances:
  • X = 0 to 100 mm
  • Y = 0 to 125 mm
  • Z = 0 to 35 mm
  • T = -1º to 90º
  • R = 360º
• Maximum image resolution: 2048 x 1536 pixels
• Detectors:
  • SE: Everhart-Thornley Secondary Electron detector
  • 4Q-BSE: 4 Quadrant Backscattered Electron detector
  • VPSE: Variable Pressure Secondary Electron detector
  • EDS Microanalysis System: Bruker Quantax 800/Z30 SDD. This detector is equipped with Xflash® 6|30 Silicon drift detector that, when associated with a multichannel analyzer, sorts X photons by energy level.
  • EBSD: Bruker Quantax Electron Backscatter Diffraction system
• Performance of EDS detector:
  • Active surface: 30 mm²
  • Detectable elements: Beryllium (z = 4) to Uranium (z = 92)
  • 129 eV resolution for Mn Kα 275 000 cps
  • Count rate: 60 000 cps
  • Peltier effect thermoelectric cooling

This facility is available to students as well as university, industry, and government researchers. It can also be used, along with our expertise, for external collaborative projects and research and development contracts.

Training sessions lasting about two hours are provided to novice users who would like to use the electron scanning microscope by themselves.

Rates depend on the user category: INRS, other universities, and other users and on what the microscope will be used for: SEM only or SEM + EDS for example. A fixed fee may be added depending on the sample preparation method.

2023 Rates

Cost for one hour

Fixed cost per unit

*Unassisted: User is alone with the instrument

**Assisted: Help is provided in case of problems and specific questions are answered.

***Technical supervision: A technician is on hand throughout the session to manipulate the machine but does not provide scientific support.

Contact us if you have questions.

Sample preparation

We only accept samples that are free of water, solvents, and other materials that may vaporize in a vacuum.

This scanning electron microscope can operate under controlled pressure for observation in a vacuum of 10 to 400 Pa. This allows the observation of samples without prior metallization.

If necessary, non-conductive samples are coated with a thin layer of gold-palladium (20-30 nm) or carbon to make their surfaces conductive. The Au/Pd layer is applied by sputtering using a SPI Module sputter coater.

Carbon is applied by evaporation using a SPI Module carbon coater system.

Secondary electron scanning (topography)

Solid samples are mounted on 12.7 mm or 25.4 mm diameter aluminum stubs using double-sided adhesive carbon tabs and placed on a carousel that can hold up to 8 samples.

Backscattered electron phase contrast imaging

It is best to analyze samples using thin, polished slides, but it is possible to analyze powder, grains, and other types of conductive and non-conductive samples.

In the case of thin slides, two types of supports are available: individual and 8-slide supports.

Here are two examples of how the scanning electron microscope has been used:

Secondary electron images of Ordovician microfossils

With permission from Esther Asselin (Natural Resources Canada)

Backscattered electron images (A) and EDS analysis (B) of thin slides of detrital siliceous and micritic carbonate varves from lake sediments in Lake Yoa, Ounianga Kebir, Chad.

Photos: P. Francus and J.F. Crémer, Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre, INRS

This facility was made possible through a grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Quebec government.