X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer for environmental scanning electron microscope

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Microstructural examination is a fundamental step in any study dealing with the processing, properties and microstructure relationships in materials. In this regard analytical scanning electron microscope has become an extremely powerful technique for microstructural examination because of its ability to provide almost all of the microstructural, chemical and, with EBSD-OIM system the crystallographic data. At the University of Manitoba on the average 25-30 graduate students and 5-8 post-doctoral research fellows from various disciplines require the use of reliable and functioning analytical SEM facilities. However, the only such facility available to them is a conventional SEM equipped with an ill-functioning EDS with obsolete analytical software that cannot be replaced due to the age of its electronics and the platform its computer system uses. It also suffers from frequent breakdowns due its age. As we cannot afford a service contract, we have to rely on the manufacturer's service engineers to assist our technologist to do the repairs, which at times can take weeks due to the distant location of Winnipeg from service centers. This has considerably increased the time our graduate students are taking to complete their studies. In addition, it is not suitable for non-metallic materials, corrosion studies etc. To alleviate this problem and to make the facility suitable for research on non-metallic, oxidized and corroded materials, an RTI grant application was made to acquire a modern EDS system in 2007-08 for our environmental SEM. At the same time to enhance the EDS system's capabilities further, Dr Ojo had applied for a CFI starter grant to acquire an electron back scatter diffraction system that requires the availability of an EDS system. Though, Dr Ojo was successful in obtaining CFI funds for the EBSD, Dr Cahoon was not. Therefore, an RTI grant application for an EDS system is being made again so that our students will have a functioning and modern analytical ESEM system complete with Dr Ojo's CFI funded EBSD-OIM system, which he currently can not use due to unavailability of an EDS. As a reflection of our needs Univesity of Manitoba has agreed to contribute 10% of the cost of EDS from its operating funds.