Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) - Zeiss Merlin

Overview

Contact: James McBride
ESB 015 - Advanced Imaging
615-322-2424

Fee Structure

Get Access - Vanderbilt
Get Access - Non-Vanderbilt

The Zeiss Merlin is a highly capable and user-friendly scanning electron microscope designed for rapid imaging of micro to nanoscale samples. The Merlin is fully equipped with all common modes of imaging, including secondary electron, backscattered electron and STEM-in-SEM. Further, chemical analysis and mapping is available with the Oxford X-max 50 SDD EDS system.

Capabilities

Imaging

• High resolution SEM for 1 kV up to 30 kV
• Everhart-Thornley secondary electron detector
• In-lens secondary and energy selective backscatter detector
• Segmented STEM detector and dedicated TEM grid holder
• 4-Quadrant backscattered electron detector

Spectroscopy

• Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (Oxford X-MAX 50 SDD)

Charge Compensation

• Gas injection needle for charge compensation for improved imaging of non-conductive samples

Software

• Oxford Aztec 3.3 EDS Analysis Software

Applications

• Micro to nanoscale imaging
• Surface Imaging
• Fabrication process validation
• Nanoscale metrology
• Chemical analysis and mapping
• STEM in SEM imaging for low voltage transmission imaging of tissue and beam sensitive materials
• Gunshot residue (GSR) analysis
• Failure analysis