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Scanning Electron Microscopy

Researcher using field-emission scanning electron microscope.

Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) JEOL 6320F. This FE-SEM equipped with a cold field-emission source and in-lens detectors is designed for ultra-high resolution at low accelerating voltage. Compositional mapping by energy-dispersive microscopy and Electron Backscattered Diffraction are available.

In basic scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a beam of highly energetic (0.1-50 keV) electrons is focused on a sample surface. This can produce several interactions including the emission of secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, photons, and X-rays; excitation of phonons; and diffraction under specific conditions.

Because the bombarding electron beam is scanned in the X-Y plane, an image for each of these different processes can be mapped with a suitable detector. A detector for secondary electrons, standard to all basic SEMs, records topography of the surface under observation with resolution on the order of 1-2 nm and magnification range from 10x to 500,000x. In addition, information on composition, phase, electrical, optical, thermal, and other properties can be mapped with excellent resolution with appropriate detectors. The basic SEM is probably the most versatile instrument in materials science. Beyond being an isolated instrument, it also represents a platform. When combined with scanning probe microscopy (SPM), the electron microscope can be used to further control manipulation of nanostructures or select an area for observation with high precision. In situ phase transitions can be seen when cryogenic or heating stages are installed in the chamber. The combination with a focused ion beam is used for specimen preparation in transmission electron microscopy.

The Measurements and Characterization division at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is equipped with a JEOL 6320F for very high resolution imaging — provided by a combination of its cold field-emission source, advanced electron-optics and in-lens detector, a variable-pressure Hitachi S-3400N, and a JEOL JSM-5800, equipped with spectrum imaging for cathodoluminescence and a scanning probe microscopy platform. The electron microprobe JEOL 8900L is the preference when quantitative composition of specimens is required.

The following table provides a condensed listing of the systems, techniques, applications, and resolutions of the major SEM instrumentation.

Major Instrumentation for Scanning Electron Microscopy

System Analytical Technique Typical Applications Lateral Resolution Special Features
JEOL 6320F Field-emission scanning electron microscopy Micro- and nanoscale characterization of topography, composition and phases 1.2 nm @ 1.5 kV
2.5 nm @ 1 kV		 THERMO EDX, EBIC
THERMO EDX, EBIC
Hitachi
S-3400N		 Scanning electron microscopy Microstructure, EBSD 3.0 nm (HV)
4.0 nm (VP)		 Variable pressure (VP), HKL NORDLYS II EBSD
JEOL JSM-5800 Scanning electron microscopy Microstructure, EBIC, cathodoluminescence 3.5 nm Cathodoluminescence spectrum imaging, cryostage (15 to 300 K), CCD, InGaAs PDA
Customized SPM platform Scanning tunneling microscopy, Atomic force microscopy, Near-field scanning optical microscopy Nanoscale characterization and manipulation of nanostructures < 1 nm Scanning tunneling luminescence, electroluminescence, lateral transport measurements, NFCL
JEOL JXA-8900L Electron probe microanalysis Quantitative compositional analysis 100 nm to 5 mm ± 0.2 at.%

Main characteristics of SEM

  • High-resolution imaging (1-2 nm), high-speed acquisition (30-60 s)
  • Live observation of the specimen in 5-6 orders of magnification (10x to 500,000x)
  • Nondestructive
  • Vacuum compatibility required. Vacuum chamber accommodates specimens up to 4 in. in diameter
  • Versatility: multiple modes of operation available
  • Readily accessible cross-sectional measurements.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Techniques


Pair of high-resolution field-emission SEM images of germanium nanowires (left) embedded in a gallium indium phosphide matrix (right).

High-resolution field-emission basic SEM image of Ge nanowires embedded in GaInP matrix (after etching).

For further information, contact Mowafak Al-Jassim, 303-384-6602.