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

该主要研究仪器奖支持北卡罗莱纳州立大学（NCSU）获得高分辨率扫描电子显微镜，该显微镜可以产生低于0.1 keV的着陆能量的电子束，同时保持低于1 nm的横向分辨率。所提出的仪器可以在低于5pa的光束电流下进行成像。低着陆能量和低电流的结合为NCSU带来了三个转变能力：1)通过平衡能量依赖的电子到达率和发射率来消除表面充电；2)有可能获得高度表面特异性的信息；3)可以最大限度地减少材料中的光束损伤，否则材料会迅速恶化。结合起来，这些能力将推动现有的研究，以更高的分辨率和以前根本无法成像的样品提供结构信息。这些能力将加强NCSU日益跨学科的材料研究，重点是电子异质结构、纳米纤维/纳米颗粒复合材料、胶体组合和dna介导的有机-无机组合。*****这项重大研究仪器奖支持北卡罗莱纳州立大学（NCSU）获得一种极分辨率扫描电子显微镜，该显微镜可以用低能电子成像。该仪器的主要优点是成像的分辨率接近原子尺寸，而不受样品表面负电荷积累严重限制图像质量和分辨率的限制。此外，这种低能量探针允许研究人员探索有机物质，如塑料、天然纤维，在某些情况下，细胞，如果在传统仪器中成像，它们会迅速分解。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各种材料的能力，成为更大的三角研究区域。此外，该仪器将创造新的推广机会，以激励科学、技术和数学学科的后代学生。

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.