ThermoFisher ESCALAB QXi XPS

Meet your demands for increased analytical performance and flexibility with the Thermo Scientific™ ESCALAB™ QXi X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS) Microprobe, which combines high spectral sensitivity and resolution with quantitative imaging and multi-technique capabilities.

The ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe is an expandable and optimized multi-technique instrument with unparalleled flexibility and configurability. It is extremely sensitive, producing high-quality spectra in seconds. System control, data acquisition, processing, and reporting are seamlessly integrated in the powerful Thermo Scientific Avantage Data System. The cutting-edge technology, driven by intuitive software, guarantees world-class results and productivity. The ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe, with its unique dual detector system, also delivers superb XPS imaging with excellent spatial resolution.

Monochromated XPS:
The twin-crystal, micro-focusing monochromator has a 500 mm Rowland circle, uses an Al anode (or a dual Al and Ag anode with the dual monochromator option), and allows you to select any sample spot size ranging from 200 µm to 900 µm.

Flood electron source:
An electron source, co-axial with the analyzer input lens, is used for charge compensation when analyzing non-conducting samples with the monochromatic X-ray source, while a second flood source produces both low-energy ions to assist in providing effective charge compensation and low-energy electrons when the magnetic lens is not in use.

Lens and analyzer:
The lens and analyzer system on the ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe is optimized for both spectroscopy and for parallel imaging; the single analyzer path means that the same instrument parameters (e.g., pass energy) can be used for both spectroscopy and imaging.

Detectors:
The ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe is fitted with two detector systems: one optimized for spectroscopy, consisting of an array of six-channel electron multipliers, and one for parallel imaging, consisting of a pair of channel plates and a continuous position-sensitive detector.

Ion gun:
The ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe has two options for rapid, high-resolution depth profiling: the standard EX06 ion gun, which is optimized for monatomic ion sputtering and ion scattering spectroscopy; and the optional monatomic and gas cluster ion source, MAGCIS, which is capable of monatomic ion profiling, cluster ion profiling, and ion scattering spectroscopy.

Digital Control:
All analytical functions are controlled from the Windows Software-based Avantage data system, meaning that the entire analysis process can be performed remotely, if required.

Alignment and calibration:
A standards block, which has samples of copper, silver, and gold, can be used for assessing sensitivity, setting the linearity of the analyzer energy scale, calibrating the ion source, aligning the X-ray monochromator, and determining the transmission function of the analyzer.

Sample alignment:
All axes of movement on the sample stage are controlled by the Avantage Data System, and a high-resolution digital video camera is fitted to the instrument and is accurately aligned with the analysis position.

Sample manipulator:
The computer-controlled, 5-axis, high-precision translator (HPT) allows accurate sample alignment for analysis. When coupled with the new automated sample loading system, it can be used to automatically exchange sample holders and run queued experiments.

Vacuum system:
The analysis chamber is constructed from 5 mm-thick mu-metal to maximize the efficiency of the magnetic shielding, and the chamber is pumped using both a turbomolecular pump and a titanium sublimation pump, allowing the analysis chamber to achieve a vacuum better than 5 x 10-10 mbar.

Preparation chambers:
The standard Preploc chamber, which is a combined sample entry lock and preparation chamber, has ports that accommodate a variety of sample preparation devices, such as heating/cooling probes, ion guns, high-pressure gas cells, sample parking, and gas admission.

Connectivity:
Measurement coordinates can be imported into Avantage Data System from dedicated microscopy systems using Thermo Scientific MAPS Software for even faster identification of measurement areas. XPS spectroscopy and imaging data can be added into Maps Software to allow direct comparison of surface chemistry and structural information.