Equipments
Discover the services and equipment offered by the 3IT.Materials platform.
Provided Services
- High-resolution imaging (SEM & TEM)
- Crystallographic analysis (diffraction, orientation, phases)
- Elemental and phase chemical analysis (quantification, mapping)
- Detailed analysis reports (illustrations, interpretation, recommendations)
- Instrument usage (sample preparation, optimal settings, safety, etc.)
- Results analysis (image processing, interpretation, dedicated software, etc.)
- Methodological guidance based on the material and its intended function
- Development of specific protocols tailored to the process, application, or needs
- Data analysis and interpretation
Our services are relevant across multiple sectors:
- Fundamental and applied research (universities, industrial laboratories)
- Microelectronics (layer quality, defects, assemblies, etc.)
- Nanotechnologies (size, dispersion, substrates, etc.)
- Quantum & advanced materials (topological interfaces, superconductors, etc.)
- Quality control (powders, coatings, critical interfaces, failure analysis, etc.)
- Device development (sensors, MEMS, prototypes, etc.)
- Energy and environment (catalysts, corrosion, contamination, surface reactions)
Equipments
Surface morphology observation, high-resolution imaging, chemical analysis (EDS), ion beam milling, and slice-and-view tomography
- SCIOS 2 SEM-FIB ThermoFisher – Canon FEG Schottky
- Detectors and spectrometer
- Secondary electrons (E-T): surface and topography imaging
- Filtered secondary electrons (in-lens): enhanced surface detail
- Backscattered electrons: compositional contrast
- Segmented annular transmission detector: for thin materials
- X-ray spectroscopy (EDS): elemental composition and mapping
Visualization down to the atomic scale, electron diffraction, chemical mapping (EDS, EELS)
- Spectra 200 ThermoFisher – Cold-FEG Schottky source with spherical aberration correction
Resolution: < ~60 pm - Sample holders
- Single-axis rotation
- Dual-axis rotation
- Tomographic (+/- 70°)
- In situ (up to 1 atm and 1000°C, with or without applied electrical bias via microelectrodes)
- Detectors, camera, and spectrometers
- 4K Falcon camera (for imaging or diffraction modes)
- 4 surrounding EDX spectrometers for elemental analysis
- Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) camera: K2-GIF Continuum
- Segmented transmission detectors for differential contrast imaging (bright field, dark field, annular, high-angle annular)
- Cutting and polishing
- Electro-jet polishing
- Chemical fume hood
- Binocular microscope and inverted optical microscope
- Dragonfly™ (Comet): platform for image analysis and 3D structure visualization
- Digital Micrograph, VELOX: software for hyperspectral data analysis
These tools enable the analysis of:
- Morphology (particle size, shape, distribution, internal porosity, interfaces, etc.)
- 3D analyses are possible through tomography: either via FIB slicing in SEM-FIB or using a tomographic sample holder in TEM.
- Crystalline structure (crystal lattice, grain orientation, interface coherence, defects, etc.)
- In TEM via electron diffraction or direct atomic contrast imaging.
- Chemical composition (elemental mapping, quantification, point analysis, multiphase analysis, etc.)
- In SEM-FIB via X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).
- In TEM via both X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS).
- Chemical tomography is also possible but requires significant acquisition and analysis time.
- Micro/nanostructure evolution under reactive conditions
- Observation of oxidation and reduction phenomena in controlled atmospheres (e.g., 5% O₂ or H₂ in an inert carrier gas such as N₂ or He), up to 1000°C.
- Near-instantaneous temperature ramping.
- Microstructure evolution during simulated thermal treatments and/or under applied electrical bias.
- Microscale cutting and micromanipulation
- Ion beam etching or cutting, micromanipulator in FIB to observe subsurface or covered structures.
- Volume extraction of a few µm³.
- Preparation of thin electron-transparent lamellae for TEM analysis.