Micro-XRF is an analysis technique frequently used for geology applications such as analysing rocks and minerals, elemental mapping, material characterisation, sedimentology and many others. Micro-XRF utilises X-rays to analyse materials quickly and on a tiny scale which is then used to create an image, known as an elemental distribution map, to highlight specific samples. In […]
Scanning electron microscopy is an essential imaging tool for materials science and life sciences, with applications in virtually every field of research. Yet the cost of a conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM) can often be prohibitive. Space requirements can also be difficult to reconcile considering a full-scale SEM might weigh several hundred kilograms with a […]
Micro X-ray fluorescence, sometimes stylized as µXRF but more often referred to as micro XRF is a powerful analytical tool with a wide range of practical applications. It is an extremely versatile spectroscopic method ideal for elemental composition analysis and highly visual elemental surface mapping. But how does micro XRF actually work? In this post, […]
AFM-IR is an analytical technique that can produce extremely high-resolution images of a sample surface, and it is commonly used to identify unknown substances by nanoscale chemical characterization. AFM-IR, its full name being atomic force microscope-infrared spectroscopy, is carried out using atomic force microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Throughout this post, we will look in detail […]
Microscopy allows us to see samples so small that they are usually invisible to the human eye, offering the ability to analyze minuscule structures such as viruses and proteins. Various techniques enable microscopic imaging, each offering its advantages and distinct capabilities. This article will focus on X-ray microscopy (XRM), exploring some of its specific techniques […]
A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is an invaluable piece of equipment in the science industry. It is a powerful, surface imaging magnification tool that uses focused electron beams to gather information from samples. The Axia ChemiSEM is a Scanning Electron Microscope manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific. To a novice user, traditional SEMs can be difficult […]
Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors are now one of the most widely used in camera technologies. Some of the advantages of CMOS technologies for camera sensors include their compact size, low-power draw, and generally cost-effective architectures.1 What makes CMOS sensors so space and power efficient is the integration of the electronics into the sensor itself. […]
There are many advantages of using X-rays microscopes for imaging applications. Unlike conventional optical microscopes, X-ray microscopes offer the potential for element selectivity in imaging, excellent resolution and sensitivity and very high contrast. X-ray microscopes can be used to image thicker samples than techniques such as electron microscopy. Using X-ray microscopes for imaging can also […]
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) involves a focused stream of electrons being projected over a surface to produce an image. The sample interacts with the electrons in the beam and this produces a range of signals that are used to gain information about the composition of the surface. In this article, we discuss the benefits […]