The Institute of Materials Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IMP) now has a new Phenom XL desktop electron microscope, which will significantly enhance the preparation and analysis of newly developed materials.
The new Phenom XL desktop electron microscope from Thermo Fisher Scientific has been successfully installed at the Institute of Materials Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. This microscope represents a significant step forward in material analysis, particularly in sample preparation, which is often complex and time-consuming. Metallographic sample preparation is crucial as it reflects the chemical composition and structure of the material, which can be influenced not only by the manufacturing process but also by subsequent treatments. Achieving optimal results during grinding, polishing, and electrolytic preparation can be challenging, especially with newly developed materials such as 3D printed materials, our ODS, or HEA (high-entropy alloys).
The new desktop SEM allows for sample observation in secondary (SE) and backscattered (BSE) electron modes, which improves contrast for chemical and phase analysis, as well as the determination of chemical composition using EDS. A significant advantage of this device is its speed – within two minutes of opening the chamber, a high-quality image can be captured. The microscope is also ideal for our standard samples, which can be easily embedded in metallographic mounts, meaning we are not limited by sample size or quantity.
This new equipment will greatly simplify and speed up sample preparation for analysis, supporting faster and more accurate research not only for conventional materials but also for new, innovative materials.
Special thanks go to Thermo Fisher Scientific and Anamet s.r.o. as well as to Mr. Filip Vymyslický for ensuring a smooth installation process and conducting the training.
