Advanced Microscopy Lab

The Advanced Micorscopy Lab, located in room 103 in the Earth and Engineering Sciences Building, is a state-of-the-art facility for microscopic examination of materials, material characterization, and failure analysis. 

Lab Equipment and Systems

Olympus PMG-3 Inverted Stage Metallograph with IA32 Image Analysis System

Capabilities:

• Magnification to 3000X
• Automated exposure meter and 4X5 photo system
• Observation modes include: brightfield, darkfield, polarized light, nomarski differential, reflected light fluorescence and transmitted light
• The image analysis system provides digital image capture as well as computer aided analysis for grain size, porosity, coating thickness, etc.

Other features include report generation and statistical analysis tools.

Lasertec 1LM11 Scanning Laser Confocal Microscope

Capabilities:

• Magnification range of 250X to 4500X
• User-defined depth of field for examination of rough samples at high magnification
• Measurement modes for critical dimension and surface profilometry measurements with quarter-micron resolution

FEI XL-30 Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope with EDAX X-ray Microanalysis System

Capabilities:

• High-resolution electron imaging with digital image capture
• Magnification from 50X to 200,000X with 5 Angstrom resolution
• On-screen measurement capabilities and editing functions
• Environmental capabilities allow for imaging of non-conductive and wet samples in a low-vacuum environment while maintaining high vacuum resolution
• EDAX X-ray system allows the user to conduct X-ray elemental mapping of samples as well as qualitative and quantitative analysis
• The Sapphire detector allows for light-element analysis such as oxygen and carbon
• Software features include: report generator, image overlay, and statistical analysis functions such as area fraction measurement and particle/phase analysis.

Current Internal Rates

• ESEM $35 per hour
• Operator $40 per hour
• Training $40 per hour

Scheduling and Training

• Sample preparation assistance
• Hands-on training with expert microscopist
• Available to students, researchers, and faculty

For more information, contact Scott Kralik at esem@mail.esm.psu.edu.