Molecular Analysis Facilty Tool

SEM – Apreo S

Make/Model: ThermoFisher Scientific
Location: MolES G44K
The Apreo-S is a versatile, high-performance, scanning electron microscope (SEM) capable of single-nanometer resolution and excellent back-scatter contrast on well-prepared materials. Oxford EDS and Symmetry EBSD enable high through-put elemental and grain orientation analysis. sTEM detector for ultra high-resolution imaging of electron transparent samples.
  • Instrument Details

Key Capabilities

The four available imaging modes are suitable for characterizing a wide range of materials.
  • Immersion mode with T1, T2, and T3 detectors generally gives the highest resolution images and is suitable for electrically conductive, non-magnetic samples.
  • Optiplan mode with T1, T2, and ETD detectors can approach 1nm resolution on conductive materials including magnetic samples.
  • Standard mode with T1 & ETD is suited to high-resolution imaging of rough and porous surfaces.
  • Low-vacuum mode controls sample charging, enabling SE & BSE imaging of materials with electrical resistance greater than 1010 Ohm without conductive coating. A hybrid 5th mode, compound lens filtering, is available to enhance compositional contrast on non-magnetic samples.
Additional detectors:
  • A retractable sTEM detector with sub-nanometer resolution can quickly screen up to 6 TEM grids in one vacuum cycle.
  • The retractable DBS detector with beam deceleration offers another charge control strategy and the ability to selectively mix or isolate topographic and compositional back scatter signals.
  • Characteristic x-ray analysis and elemental mapping with Oxford EDS.
  • Crystal orientation imaging with Oxford Symmetry EBSD.


Data Produced

  • Secondary Electron, Back-scatter Electron, and sTEM micrographs
  • EDS spectra and maps
  • EBSD maps, grain statistics, mis-orientation and strain maps
  • Hi-Def tile sets of large sample areas


Compatible Samples

Samples must be compatible with a chamber vacuum of 10-6 mBar. Any residual solvents or residues on the sample that outgas at this pressure will interfere with imaging and can contaminate the instrument. 5-axis motorized eucentric stage, 110 x 110 mm2 with a 105° tilt range. Maximum sample weight: 5 kg in un-tilted position.