Electron Microscopy Facility
- Overview: Leading UK facility for imaging and microanalysis of solid materials at the micro- and nano- scale.
- Contact name: Dr Richard Walshaw, Senior Experimental Officer
- Phone: +44 (0)113 343 0336
- Email: r.d.walshaw@leeds.ac.uk
This facility is part of the Leeds Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy Facility.
Equipment
- FEI QUANTA 650 FEG Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Oxford Instruments X-Max 80 EDS detector, Symmetry S1 EBSD camera and Aztec Synergy Software. Also KE panchromatic CL detector.
- Tescan VEGA3 XM Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with colour filtered CL system, also Oxford Instruments X-max 150 EDS detector with Aztec energy software – includes “Feature” software for automated particle counting and analysis. Also Alicona MEX 3D software for 3D imaging and metrology of surface roughness. Large chamber and large sample carousels for high throughput of multiple samples.
- JEOL JXA8230 Electron Probe Microanalyser (EPMA) with 1x EDS and 5 x WDS spectrometers. Equipped with “Probe for EPMA” advanced microanalytical software for geoscience applications.
Applications
- Secondary electron (SE) imaging – study of topography and structure from the mm - nm scale
- Backscattered electron (BSE) imaging – compositional imaging for phase distribution and ID
- Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) – quantitative and qualitative analysis and mapping
- Wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (WDS) – accurate, precise, quantitative trace and light element analysis and mapping at the micron scale
- Cathodoluminescence (CL) – study of diagenetic cements and mineral paragenesis
- Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) – elucidation of crystal structure and orientation for studying texture, deformation and failure behaviour in rocks and metals
- Metrology measurement and modelling of surface roughness on faulted/fractured rocks
Case studies
1.
BSE imaging, EBSD and EPMA analysis of zoned magmatic olivine and plagioclase crystals from the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption elucidate timescales of magmatic processes associated with eruption.
Kahl et al., (2023), Geology, http://dx.doi.org/10.1130/g50340.1
2.
EBSD and EPMA mapping of foraminiferal tests establishes degree of crystallinity and trace Mg content as a proxy for palaeo-sea-surface temperature.
Procter et al., (2024), Biogeosciences, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1213-2024
3.
Automated imaging and EDS analysis allows size-resolved compositional analysis of atmospheric aerosols.
Sanchez-Marroquin et al., 2019 https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-5741-2019
O’Sullivan et al., 2019 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-31981-7
Who can use the facility?
We are committed to sharing our facilities and associated expertise with external academic and industrial collaborators. To make an enquiry please contact Dr Richard Walshaw, e: r.d.walshaw@leeds.ac.uk.