X-ray diffraction services (XRD) - High Resolution Diffraction, Siemens D5000, Phase Identification, Residual Stress Analysis, Particle Size, Quantitative Analysis, High Temperature Analysis, furnace, to 2500°C., Films Siemens D500, D5000, Epitaxial Films

$X-ray diffraction services, XRD, X-ray analytical services, x-ray diffraction analysis$

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Equipment

Siemens D5000 - Huber G670 - Philips PW1800 - Philips X-'pert - Spectrace QuanX - ISI SX-40A - SEM Coater System - Prep. Equip.

SPI Sputter / Coater System

The SPI Sputter / Coater System is a versatile system used for preparation of sample items to be observed in the scanning electron microscope.

The system consists of a vacuum pump and evacuating platform with a glass cylinder. The sample is placed on the platform and is surrounded by the glass cylinder. The top piece on the glass cylinder holds either a carbon fiber "filament", or a sputtering source of gold / palladium. The two smaller controlled power supplies generate the required voltage and current for either the carbon coater or the gold sputter operation. When sputtering, it is suggested that argon gas be used to enhance the deposition of the gold to the underside of sample materials to insure a continuous conduction path.

Sample materials that are not electrically conductive in and of themselves must be coated in order to prevent "charging". If an object charges in the electron beam, its image will disappear from view since there is no electron scatter which is what is required for image formation. Sometimes small flecks of sample will "fly away" off the sample stud due to strong like-charge repulsion.

The choice of coating often is determined by whether an EDS chemical analysis is desired. If it is, it is best to use carbon since it is a light element and its appearance will not mask the response of the heavier elements. Gold, on the other hand, will prevent lighter elements than itself from being successfully detected.