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Image and Analysis Unit
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  • Image and Analysis Unit

Image and Analysis Unit

Our Image and Analysis Unit is equipped with some of the most advanced microscopes in the south-east, including state-of-the-art high-resolution scanning electron microscopes (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

We have an excellent track record of delivering a wide range of consultancy projects to a diverse portfolio of industrial partners and clients, talk to us to find out more. 

Talk to us

If you are interested in this service, get in touch with us at knowledgeexchange@brighton.ac.uk where the team will be happy to help.

Our expertise and capabilities

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

The SEM can image sample materials at up to one million times magnification with a potential resolution of two nanometres.

Using SEM and EDS we can deliver high quality nanoscale level resolution imaging and elemental analysis of your samples.

We have two SEM available:

Zeiss Sigma Field Emission Gun SEM (FEG-SEM) equipped secondary electron, backscattered electron, scanning transmission electron, and X-ray detectors.

The FEG-SEM is used for Nano-resolution imaging of dry samples.

Zeiss EVO LS-15 Environmental SEM (ESEM) equipped with secondary electron, backscattered electron, and X-ray detectors.

The ESEM allows moisture-containing samples to be examined in their native state using a variable pressure environmental chamber.

KEY FEATURES

  •  Field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM)

  • Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM)

  • Secondary electron imaging (SE)

  • Backscattered electron imaging (BSE)

  • Scanning transmission electron imaging (STEM)

  • Oxford Instruments X-max Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)

Output signals 

The SEM generates a high energy incident beam of electrons which is used to illuminate the sample surface and produces three principle output signals:

1 - Secondary electrons:

These are low energy electrons generated by the interaction of the incident beam with the sample material and provide surface morphology images, to visualise the sample shape and size.

Secondary Electron

2 - Backscattered electrons:

These are high energy electrons within the incident beam that are reflected back by the sample material.

The intensity of backscatter is relative to the atomic weight of the sample and provides elemental phase images, to visualise the presence of differing chemical elements within a sample.

3 - X-rays:

These are liberated from the sample material during the process of secondary electron generation. They can be used to identify and quantify the chemical elements within a sample via EDS and produce spot analysis spectra and element maps. 

EDS spot analysis

EDS spot analysis map

Additional equipment available 

We also have access to the following microscopes:  

  • Leica TCS SP5 Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope
  • Digital Instruments Multimode and Dimension Atomic Force Microscopes
  • Nikon Eclipse TE2000-U Light-Fluorescence Microscope
  • X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS) is available to complement the EDS analysis

If you would like more information, please get in touch. 

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91¶¶Òõ
Mithras House
Lewes Road
91¶¶Òõ
BN2 4AT

Main switchboard 01273 600900

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