Online booking of SEM-FEG

INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION

The scanning electron microscope available at the department is equipped by:

• Field Emission Gun (FEG)
• Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS)
• Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBDD)
• Scanning Trasmission Electron microscope tools (STEM)
• Variable Pressure (VP) mode.
• Plasma cleaner feature to clean the surface to be examined

In the present configuration, the instrument is able to:

• Analyze morphology and microstructure of samples at the nanoscale;
• Analyze surfaces extremely sensitive to the electron beam acceleration voltage (e.g., thin films or biological samples);
• Analyze samples at variable pressure, in order to study superficial morphology of non-coated samples (including biological samples);
• semi-quantitative chemical analysis (locally or mapping);
• crystallographic analysis with an enhanced analytical and spatial resolution (e.g., for the identification of different phases in fine microstructures);
• analyze thin samples (including biological samples) in transmission mode (STEM).

The analytical technique listed above may be used for the study of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, composite, mineral materials, as well as electronic or mechanic components at the micro- or nano- scale.

The analysis of biological samples is possible, by it requires to adopt peculliar safety cautions, as reported below.

CONDITIONS OF USE

The instrument may be used in two diffent modalities:

- Direct access (Self-Service)

UNIBO research groups that frequently use the instrument can have access to it, thanks to the personnel adequately trained.

- Access with an operator (Full-Service)

UNIBO research groups that only seldom use the instrument as well as external users can have access with reference technical personnel.

BOOKING PROCEDURE

The reservation of the instrument may for University if Bologna personnel can be carried out as follows:

- on-line at link https://calma.unibo.it/sem_feg/, when the support of an operator is not required.

The online reservation form allows to book the instrument use to any faculty members of the university.

- by phone, contacting directly the reference people, if the support of an operator is required.

In the latter case, the faculty member needs to contact first a reference person for the instrument (listed below), agree when to perform the analyzes (date and time), and finally make the online reservation at the link above. The name of the technician who will support the analysis needs to be included in the booking notes.

External users (not University of Bologna) can book the use of the instrument by contacting reference people, either by phone or by email (listed below).

THE RESERVATION OF THE INSTRUMENT REQUIRES THAT THE USER HAS READ ALL THE INSTRUCTURES AND PRECAUTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE INSTRUMENT INDICATED BELOW.

WARNING IN THE USE OF SEM-FEG

The SEM-FEG, differently to the Environmental (E-SEM) instrument, works under high vacuum conditions, so it is advisable to avoid the observation of wet and/or oil-containing samples, to prevent an irreversible contamination the chamber/column. Wet samples may be observed only after drying.

The specimens, of any nature, need to be secured, in particular powders, because the pressure gradient between the chamber and the column tends to cause small details to rise towards the Gun.

The users need to describe the sample types to be analyzed by SEM-FEG, with clear mention about possible hazardous factors for both the instrument and the operator, listing the information during the online reservation in the appropriate field (Description e Full Description). For instance, clear mention needs to be made for biological samples, human or non-human, cultures, non-biological samples in the form of powder or massive samples, with the indication of chemical composition and/or safety precautions.

The specimens to be analyzed will be transported in the lab by the users that applied for the SEM-FEG service, and will be returned after the analysis, since the SEM-FEG tests are not destructive.

The users will be in charge to dispose the specimens after the analysis, in case that is required. The holders or producers of the sample will need to dispose it, according to the procedures of their department or research group, or public/private body.

For any further information or clarification, please contact reference people for the instrument, listed below.

N.B. In the case of users of the University of Bologna, any damage to the instrumentation due to non-compliance with these rules or improper use of the microscope will be charged to the person who booked the equipment. 

 COSTS

The microscope has been acquired with the support and funding of teachers of the DICAM, DIN and DEI departments. Therefore, the rates for the use of the instrument may vary according to the support given for purchasing the equipment, as indicated in the following table. Faculty members of Toso Montanari Department, which assists the DICAM, DIN and DEI departments in the management of the SEM-FEG, will be considered “supporter” UNIBO users.