MRI: Acquisition of a Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope with integrated EBSD, EDS, and CL

索诺马州立大学(SSU)将获得一台具有多传感器能力的集成扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和用于样品制备的碳涂层。该扫描电子显微镜系统将1)提高收集和分析的数据的质量和多样性，2)提高数据收集的速度，促进教师建立合作关系的能力，3)支持现有的课程基础设施和使用现代技术和数据获取技术培训下一代科学家，4)增加STEM学科中的学生多样性，5)促进和保持行业合作伙伴关系和学生的实习机会，以及6)在SSU培养学术上不同的电子显微镜用户基础。拟议的扫描电子显微镜和相关探测器有可能对SSU的15门课程和每年约500名学生产生重大影响。除了课堂环境外，我们许多理科专业的学生都将独立研究作为一种巅峰体验，其中许多学生将扫描电子显微镜设施作为他们研究的一部分。SSU致力于教育所有背景的人，并致力于增加科学领域的性别和种族多样性。SSU是一所联邦承认的拉美裔服务机构，本科生人口中有33%是西班牙裔。这一群体在STEM学科中的代表性历来偏低；然而，事实证明，利用最先进的设备获得实践研究机会是招募代表不足的人群进入STEM的有效技术。收购拟议的扫描电子显微镜微观分析系统将极大地提高来自地质、物理和化学系的五名研究人员以及来自SSU其他系(如生物学、人类学、地理学和工程科学)的教职员工的研究议程的质量和范围。由该仪器促成的具体研究问题包括：1)断层系统的长期历史，2)造山机制，3)板块构造重建，4)纳米材料的自组装，5)纳米传感器的发展，以及6)对表现出自旋受挫的磁性系统的特性的研究，这可用于创建全磁计算机体系结构。这一工具扩展了我们可以解决的科学问题的类型，并促进了大学内部和与我们的合作机构的跨学科研究。SSU目前的系统无法升级，在过去几年中变得不可靠/不起作用；它在维修期间经常失灵，不再产生进行研究所需的数据质量。除了标准的二次电子成像能力外，能量色散X射线光谱分析(EDS)、电子背向散射衍射(EBSD)和阴极发光(CL)成像能力对SSU教职员工的研究活动至关重要。我们的研究需要超过这个扫描电子显微镜系统，因为我们需要：1)一个更快、更灵敏的扫描电子显微镜/EBSD系统，它可以自动化大面积测绘的数据采集方案；2)一个分辨率更高的扫描电子显微镜/能谱系统，以解决纳米结构的元素分布；3)一个集成的CL探测器，用于与碎屑锆石年代学分析相关的晶体中的成像分带；4)一个更大的分析地质材料的空间；5)集成的安全功能，以避免在培训新手时发生样品-仪器碰撞，6)与不断发展的硬件和软件行业集成的可升级系统；7)提高可靠性，以便更可靠地整合到课程和研究活动中。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An integrated Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with multiple sensor capability and a carbon coater for sample preparation will be acquired at Sonoma State University (SSU). This SEM system will 1) increase the quality and diversity of data that will be collected and analyzed, 2) increase speed of data collection facilitating the faculty’s ability to establish collaborative relationships, 3) support existing curricular infrastructure and training of the next generation of scientists using modern technology and data acquisition techniques, 4) increase student diversity within the STEM disciplines, 5) facilitate and maintain industry partnerships and internship opportunities for students, and 6) foster an academically diverse user-base for electron microscopy at SSU. The proposed SEM and associated detectors have the potential to significantly impact 15 courses at SSU and approximately 500 student per year. In addition to the classroom environment, many of our science majors become involved in independent research as a capstone experience, and many of those students utilize the SEM facilities as part of their research. SSU is committed to educating persons of all backgrounds and is dedicated to increasing gender and ethnic diversity in the sciences. SSU is a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution with an undergraduate population that is 33% Hispanic. This population is historically underrepresented in the STEM disciplines; however, having access to hands-on research opportunities with state-of-the-art equipment has proven to be an effective technique for recruiting underrepresented populations into STEM.The acquisition of the proposed SEM microanalysis system will greatly increase the quality and scope of the research agendas of the five investigators from the Geology, Physics, and Chemistry Departments, as well as faculty members from other departments at SSU (e.g., Biology, Anthropology, Geography, and Engineering Sciences). Specific research questions facilitated by this instrument include: 1) the long-term history of fault systems, 2) mechanisms of mountain building, 3) plate tectonic reconstructions, 4) self-assembly of nano-materials, 5) nano-sensor development, and 6) investigation into the properties of magnetic systems exhibiting spin frustration, which can be used to create all-magnetic computer architectures. This instrument expands the type of scientific questions that we can address and facilitates cross-disciplinary research within the university and with our collaborating institutions. The current system at SSU cannot be upgraded and has become unreliable/non-functioning in the past few years; it is frequently out of commission during repairs and no longer produces the quality of data necessary for conducting research. In addition to standard secondary electron imaging capabilities, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), and Cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging capabilities are critical for SSU faculty research activities. Our research needs outstrip this SEM system because we need: 1) a faster, more sensitive SEM/EBSD system that can automate data acquisition schemes for large-area mapping, 2) an SEM/EDS system with increased resolution to resolve elemental distributions of nano-structures, 3) an integrated CL detector for imaging zoning in crystals associated with detrital zircon geochronology analyses, 4) a larger chamber for the analysis of geological materials, 5) integrated safety features to avoid sample-instrument collisions when training novice users, 6) an upgradable system that integrates with the continually evolving hardware and software industry and 7) to increase reliability for more dependable integration into curricular and research activities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.