Imaging Electron Energy-Loss Spectrometer

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The new imaging electron energy-loss spectrometer (EEL spectrometer) is going to provide a wide range of new advanced spectroscopic and imaging TEM techniques for materials characterization down to the nanometer and atomic scale. We will apply electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM) for the quantitative determination of the distributions of particularly light elements, for chemical bond/oxidation state analyses as well as for the study of plasmon excitations. Moreover, energy-filtered convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED) will allow us to quantitatively determine the local lattice parameter with unprecedented accuracy for detailed strain and temperature measurements. Filtered conventional TEM imaging (e.g. bright-field TEM) will be utilized, e.g. for in situ TEM of thick samples.Together with our modern transmission electron microscope, the new imaging EEL spectrometer with two dedicated TEM transfer holders will boost the nanocharacterization capabilities at the shared Micro- and Nanoanalytics Facility (MNaF) of the University of Siegen and will assure the university’s international competitiveness in materials science in the long term.The materials research, which is planned to be addressed at the School of Science and Technology, ranges from energy conversion/storage and catalysis to sensor and optical applications to life science (in particular biosensors) to structural applications (vehicles, power plants, construction) with a wide range of materials classes under investigation: 2D semiconductors, nanoparticles, battery materials, bio/polymer materials, ceramics, alloys, and devices.The new Micro- and Nanoanalytics Group operates a modern EM laboratory at the MNaF. The group’s expertise and hands-on experience in sample preparation, microscope and spectrometer operation and maintenance and, most importantly, a broad theoretical EM background will assure the successful application of the new spectrometer to conduct the planned research. It is planned to establish expertise in the spectroscopic investigation of environment-sensitive materials like battery materials, semiconductors and life-science samples based on cryo as well as inertgas transfer with dedicated TEM sample holders.