Acquisition of a New Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry System at the American Museum of Natural History

我们请求资金将我们老化的扫描电子显微镜(SEM)设备更换为能够满足美国自然历史博物馆(AMNH)不断发展的研究和教育需求的新仪器。扫描电子显微镜固有的高倍率、高细节、景深和分析能力对AMNH的系统学、矿物学和其他研究重点的调查至关重要。目前的扫描电子显微镜/能谱分析系统，蔡司DSM 950和Link AN10000，被不同群体的研究人员持续使用。它在当时是一种创新的数字设计，但现在已经磨损、过时，无法升级。该系统不能满足研究和教育的要求，包括：1)未涂覆的生物标本成像，2)二次和反向散射电子模式的高倍率成像，3)高分辨率数字图像文件的产生和存储，4)光元素的分离，5)不同用户群体的易操作性，6)可升级并具有第三方应用程序支持的行业标准计算平台，7)用于协作和教育的网络和互联网操作，以及8)出版质量打印。一种新的隔振系统将抑制放大倍数超过20,000倍的振动。非涂层生物标本的二次电子成像，特别是分类类型，在博物馆环境中很重要，因为这些标本是独一无二的，不能被涂层。高倍率、高加速电压下的背向散射成像是矿物学研究的关键。这些不同的要求现在可以通过场发射(FE)仪器来满足。大幅增加放大倍数的能力(FE范围额定为600，00‘0~)将扩展AMNH的科学研究前沿。FE仪器的腔室大小足以容纳大样本，并且易于操作。目前的扫描电子显微镜和能谱分析系统现在正在迁移到标准研发计算平台，这些平台易于使用，可以产生高分辨率的数字图像，并通过网络和互联网与其他仪器一起操作。新的设施将提供最先进的仪器，满足与世界上一些最重要的自然历史收藏(超过3700万件标本)相关的非常大的用户群体的新的和长期的研究和教育需求。该医院已承诺，并将继续承诺，工作人员和资源，以运作的扫描电子显微镜设施。所有从事研究、研究培训或教育的附属人员都可以使用扫描电子显微镜。3.

We request funds to replace our aging scanning electron microscope (SEM) facility with new instrumentation that has the capabilities to meet the evolving research and educational requirements at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). The high magnification, great detail, depth of field, and analytical capabilities inherent to scanning electron microscopy are crucial to the investigation of systematics, mineralogy, and other research foci at the AMNH. The current SEM/EDS system, a Zeiss DSM 950 and Link AN10000, is in continuous use by a varied population of researchers. It was an innovative digital design at the time, but is now worn, outdated, and not upgradeable. This system does not meet research and educational requirements including: 1) imaging uncoated biological specimens, 2) high magnification imaging in both secondary and backscattered electron modes, 3) production and storage of high resolution digital image files, 4) separation of light elements, 5) ease of operation for a diverse user population, 6) industry-standard computing platforms that can be upgraded and have third party application support, 7) network and Internet operation for collaboration and education, and 8) publication quality printing. A new isolation system will suppress of vibrations at magnifications above 20,000x. Secondary electron imaging of uncoated biological specimens, particularly taxonomic types, is important in a museum setting because these specimens are unique and cannot be coated. Backscattered imaging at high magnification and high accelerating voltage operation are critical for mineralogical research. These diverse requirements can now be met by field emission FE) instruments. The ability to greatly increase magnification (FE scopes are rated to 600,00'0~ will extend the frontiers of scientific research at the AMNH. FE instruments have chamber sizes adequate for large specimens and are easy to operate. Current SEM and EDS systems are now migrating to standa rd computing platforms that are easy to use, produce high-resolution digital images, and operate with other instruments over networks and the Internet. The new facility will provide state-of-the-art instrumentation that will meet both new and longstanding research and educational requirements for a very large user population associated with some of the most important natural history collections in the world (in excess of 37 million specimens). The AMNH has committed, and will continue to commit, staff and resources to the operation of the SEM facility. The SEM will be available to all affiliated personnel who undertake research, research training, or education. 3