EPSRC Access to Materials Research Equipment - 3D ESEM

扫描电子显微镜(SEM)是材料科学中广泛研究的一项关键技术，在物理、化学和生物科学的分支中得到了广泛的应用。扫描电子显微镜技术的最新进展包括将几种互补技术集成到一台仪器中，提供了巨大的灵活性和高度的自动化。最近的进展包括由改进的真空控制和检测器技术带来的在气体和液体样品环境中的操作(ESEM)。然而，进一步对更大范围的材料进行新的原位分析，特别是在非真空条件下可扩展的材料，代表了扫描电子显微镜引导的未来协同研究的方向。该建议涉及与Call中聚焦离子束技术相关的专业扫描电子显微镜的具体标准。总共20%的闲置产能，相当于一周一个工作日，将提供给外部用户。

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is a key technique underpinning a wide range of research in Materials Science as well as being heavily exploited in branches of Physics, Chemistry and Biological Sciences. Recent advances in SEM technology have included the integration of several complementary techniques into a single instrument providing enormous flexibility and a high degree of automation. Recent advances include operation in gaseous and liquid specimen environments (ESEM) brought about by improved vacuum control and detector technology. However, further novel in situ analysis of a greater range of materials, particularly extendable using non-vacuum conditions, represents the future synergistic direction of SEM led research. This proposal addresses the specific criteria for Specialised Scanning Electron Microscopy with relevance to Focussed Ion Beam techniques within the call. A total of 20% of spare capacity, equivalent to one working day a week, will be made available to external users.