MicroscopyInnovations
unreliable on-chip quasi-REs (QREs) inside the liquid cell. Because of the small volume of liquid in the cell, the QRE, which sits in the reagent electrolyte, only provides a quasi- reference potential. As the reagent solution changes during the reaction, so does the reference potential (hence quasi- reference electrode). Tis makes the chemistry observed unrepresentative of chemistry performed on the beaker scale. Te present innovation overcomes this lack of rel- evance to reaction conditions. Technologies that could benefit from this liquid-electro-
chemical system include electrochemical processes related to energy storage devices such as batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. It could also have an impact on nanoscale synthesis for next-generation electronic devices. Tus, the system could aid in the development of lower-cost, longer- lasting, faster-operating, and environmentally friendlier electrical and energy-storage devices.
Helios 5 Laser PFIB Termo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
Developers: Marcus Straw, Steven Randolph, Jorge Filevich, Aurelien Botman, Remco Geurts, David Krobot, Tomáš Gancarčik, Ivan Dekan, Václav Šnajdr, and Vit Kloucek
Te Helios 5 Laser PFIB enables
high-quality subsurface and 3D char- acterization at millimeter scale with nanometer resolution. It provides large- volume 3D analysis, gallium-free sample preparation, and precise micromachin- ing. With an integrated femtosecond laser, it offers fast material removal rates while maintaining high cut-face quality. Te Helios 5 Laser PFIB combines (a) the Elstar SEM column, for ultra-high-
resolution imaging and analytical capabilities, (b) a plasma focused ion beam (PFIB) column for high milling performance at all operating conditions, and (c) a femtosecond laser, enabling in situ ablation at unprecedented material removal rates for fast millimeter-scale characterization at nanometer resolution. Te ultra-short duration of the femtosecond laser pulses introduces almost no artifacts while delivering higher site-specific accuracy compared to traditional mechanical polishing techniques. Te femtosecond laser induces no heat impact, no microcracks, and no melting effects. In most cases, femtosecond laser-milled sur- faces are clean enough for direct SEM imaging, and the qual- ity is oſten sufficient for surface-sensitive electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) mapping. When it is necessary to further improve the surface quality, a short PFIB polishing procedure can be used to reveal ultra-fine features. Compared to a Ga FIB, the plasma-based FIB optimally complements the femtosecond laser to maintain a high throughput. All three beams (SEM/ FIB/laser) point at a single point, enabling short laser/SEM
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switching times and no vacuum transfers. Automated, ultra- large-volume 3D characterization using laser tomography is a particular capability. Te femtosecond laser can cut materials orders of mag-
nitude faster than a Ga FIB. For many materials, a large cross section hundreds of micrometers wide can be created within 5 minutes. By using a different removal mechanism, ablation versus ion sputtering, the laser can process chal- lenging materials such as non-conductive or ion-beam- sensitive samples: glass, ceramics, hard and soſt polymers, biomaterials, and graphite. A protective coating to reduce charging or to mitigate the curtain artifacts is not needed, saving time and increasing throughput. Tis Laser PFIB enables new applications such as large-
volume cross-sectioning for rapid failure analysis; fast access to buried subsurface layers; fast micromachining of complex shapes such as tensile rods, chunks, and microCT specimens; and millimeter-scale 3D laser serial sectioning, including analytical characterization with EDS X-ray spec- trometry or EBSD.
alpha300 apyron Automated Raman Microscope WITec GmbH
Developers: Olaf Hollricher, Wolfram Ibach, Peter Spizig, Christian Weberbauer, Detlef Sanchen, and Christian Hermann Te WITec alpha300 apyron
calibration, and remote
is an advanced, fully automated, confocal Raman microscope. It uses motorized optical com- ponents to provide the benefits of high-resolution 3D chemi- cal characterization in a matter of minutes to researchers of all experience levels. Te alpha300 apyron broke new ground by introducing self-alignment, self- operation. Opto-mechanical
modules that enable automated optimization include a cali- bration source that can validate and calibrate spectrometer gratings, an output coupler that maximizes signal through- put to a spectrometer, and motorized iris diaphragms that adjust the beam path for optimum contrast and homogene- ity in white-light imaging. Te alpha300 apyron increases sample throughput rate by optimizing performance for every experimental setup. Soſtware-driven routines ensure the consistency and reproducibility of results while also substantially reducing the researcher’s workload by requir- ing less user input and eliminating potential sources of error. Te alpha300 apyron can configure the beam path to perform measurements with methods complementary to Raman microscopy while the sample remains at the same position.
www.microscopy-today.com • 2021 September
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