Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope and EDX
System
The Department of Engineering has a Phillips XL30 ESEM and an Oxford Instruments ISIS Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis System. The system has a large specimen chamber (typically we can accommodate samples approximatly a house brick in size). The environmental chamber means that we can image insulating samples without the need for a conductive coating, which makes it ideal for forensic investigations on polymer or ceramic samples. A range of imaging gases, from water vapour to argon and nitrogen can be used. The EDX system has a super ultra-thin window which means that we can analyse for elements from beryllium upwards in the periodic table.
The ESEM and EDX system |
Inside the specimen chamber |
We also have the capability for in-situ mechanical testing using a Deben Microtensile tester. This has a load capability up to 300N and can be used in compression, tension or bending. The force-displacement data can be recorded on a PC.
The microtensile tester mounted in the SEM. The blue sample is latex. |
Initiation of fracture in a latex sample observed in a saturated water vapour environment to suppress charging in the electron beam. |
If you are interested in using this facility, please contact:
Dr S.V.Hainsworth
Department of Engineering
University of Leicester
Leicester
LE1 7RH
Tel: 0116 252 5692
Fax: 0116 252 2525
E mail: svh2@le.ac.uk
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Author: Sarah Hainsworth, last updated 23/7/2002.