MRI: Acquisition of an extreme-resolution low-voltage scanning electron microscope

1337694玛丽亚这一重大研究仪器奖支持北卡罗来纳州立大学(NCSU)购买高分辨率扫描电子显微镜，该显微镜可以产生着陆能量低于0.1keV的电子束，同时将横向分辨率保持在1 nm以下。该仪器可实现束流低于5pA的成像。低着陆能量和低电流的结合为NCSU带来了三项转化能力：1)通过平衡依赖于能量的电子到达和发射速率，有可能消除表面电荷；2)有可能获得高度表面特定的信息；3)有可能将材料中否则会迅速恶化的束流损害降至最低。综合起来，这些能力将通过提供更高分辨率的结构信息和以前无法成像的样本来推动现有的研究。这些能力将加强NCSU日益跨学科的材料研究，重点放在电子异质结构、纳米纤维/纳米颗粒复合材料、胶体组装和DNA介导的有机-无机组装上。*这一重大研究仪器奖支持北卡罗来纳州立大学(NCSU)购买一台用低能电子成像的极高分辨率扫描电子显微镜。这种仪器的主要优点是成像的分辨率接近原子尺寸，没有由于样品表面积累的负电荷而严重限制图像质量和分辨率的限制。此外，这种低能量探测器允许研究人员探索塑料、天然纤维等有机物质，在某些情况下，细胞如果用传统仪器成像会迅速分解。该仪器将加强NCSU现有的跨学科项目，并通过其以极高分辨率表征不同调色板材料的能力，成为更大的研究三角区域。此外，该仪器还将创造新的外展机会，激励未来几代科学、技术和数学学科的学生。

1337694Maria This Major Research Instrumentation award supports North Carolina State University (NCSU) with the acquisition of a high-resolution scanning electron microscope that can produce electron beams with landing energies lower than 0.1 keV while retaining lateral resolution below 1 nm. The proposed instrument enables imaging with beam currents below 5 pA. This combination of low landing energy and low current brings three transformational capabilities to NCSU: 1) it is possible to eliminate surface charging by balancing energy dependent electron arrival and emission rates; 2) it is possible to acquire information that is highly surface specific; and 3) it is possible to minimize beam damage in materials that would otherwise deteriorate rapidly. In combination, these capabilities will propel existing research by providing structural information at dramatically higher resolution and on samples that simply could not be imaged previously. These capabilities will enhance materials research at NCSU that is increasingly interdisciplinary, with focused efforts on electronic heterostructures, nanofiber/nanoparticle composites, colloidal assemblies, and DNA-mediated organic-inorganic assemblies. ***** This Major Research Instrumentation award supports North Carolina State University (NCSU) with the acquisition of an extreme-resolution scanning electron microscope that images with low energy electrons. The key benefit of this instrument is imaging with a resolving power approaching atomic dimensions without the limitations due to the accumulation of negative charges on the sample surface that severely limits image quality and resolution. Furthermore, this low energy probe allows researchers to explore organic substances like plastics, natural fibers, and in some cases cells, which would decompose rapidly if imaged in a conventional instrument. This instrument will strengthen existing interdisciplinary programs at NCSU and is the greater Research Triangle region through its ability to characterize a diverse palette of materials at extreme resolution. In addition the instrument will create new outreach opportunities to inspire future generations of students in science, technology and math disciplines.