The Thermo Scientific Volumescope 2 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) is our state-of-the-art serial block-face imaging system. Keep control of experiments with easy to use technology and protect a wide range of possible samples with tried and tested solutions for every acquisition step.

Block face imaging

Unraveling the complex 3D architecture of cells and tissues in their natural context is crucial for structure-function correlation in biological systems and soft materials. Serial block-face SEM (SBF-SEM) combines in situ sectioning and imaging of plastic-embedded tissue blocks within the SEM vacuum chamber for automated, 3D reconstruction of large tissue volumes. Axial resolution was once limited by the minimum section thickness, but truly isotropic resolution is now possible with the addition of multi-energy deconvolution.

3D SEM

Following in situ sectioning of the block-face using a diamond knife, the freshly exposed tissue is imaged several times using increasing accelerating voltages. These images are subsequently used in a deconvolution algorithm to derive several optical subsurface layers, forming a 3D subset. By repeating this cycle, the Volumescope 2 SEM offers isotropic datasets with 10 nm Z-resolution.

Polymer microstructures

High-resolution imaging in 3D is of great importance when trying to understand the microstructure and properties of polymer materials. The Volumescope 2 SEM combines in situ sectioning and imaging of polymers within the SEM vacuum chamber, in a fully automated fashion, for reconstruction of large volumes with truly isotropic 3D resolution. Visualizing a large volume at such resolutions is critical for revealing how regions with different microstructures affect the overall properties of the material. For example, the Volumescope 2 SEM can recreate a large representative volume of a filtration membrane, providing accurate transport properties that lead to enhanced performance predictions for new filter designs.

Advanced materials characterization labs require access to the latest techniques and will push analytical tools, including SEMs, to the extremes of their capabilities. Most of these labs are multi-user facilities that accommodate users with varying degrees of experience. Time on the microscope is precious, and excessive time spent on maintenance, alignments, training, or image optimization needs to be avoided.

Apreo 2 Scanning Electron Microscope

The new Thermo Scientific Apreo 2 SEM expands access to high-performance imaging and analytics to all levels of microscopy expertise. With Thermo Scientific ChemiSEM Technology, a unique live elemental imaging capability, compositional information is always available, through the most intuitive interface. Eliminating all the hassle associated with typical EDS implementations, ChemiSEM Technology offers unprecedented time to result and ease of use.

The Apreo 2 SEM poses much smaller demands on users and lab managers with Thermo Scientific SmartAlign Technology, an optics system that aligns itself. Furthermore, the Apreo 2 SEM automates the image fine-tuning process with Thermo Scientific FLASH technology. FLASH Technology executes any necessary corrections to lens centering, the stigmators, and final focus of the image. The combination of these technologies means that users new to electron microscopy can access the high-end performance of the Apreo 2 SEM. Additionally, the Apreo 2 SEM is the only SEM with a 1-nanometer resolution at 10 mm analytical working distance. No longer does long working distance mean poor imaging. With the Apreo 2 SEM, anyone will be able to confidently get great results.

The Thermo Scientific Prisma E Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) combines a wide array of imaging and analytical modalities with advanced automation to offer the most complete solution of any instrument in its class. It is ideal for industrial research and development, quality control, and failure analysis applications that require high resolution, sample flexibility and an easy-to-use operator interface. The Prisma E SEM succeeds the highly successful Thermo Scientific Quanta SEM.

ESEM with EDS

The unique combination of accessible all-round performance, a large set of accessories, and the most intuitive elemental analysis with Thermo Scientific ColorSEM make the Prisma E SEM the go-to SEM for micro-scale imaging and analysis in any industry or field.

The Thermo Scientific Quattro ESEM combines all-around performance in imaging and analytics with a unique environmental mode (ESEM) that allows samples to be studied in their natural state. It is ideal for a wide variety of academic, industrial, and government labs that want the versatility and ease of use needed for multiple users of different experience levels and disciplines on a platform that also supports unique in situ experiments. The Quattro ESEM features a field emission gun (FEG), which ensures excellent resolution. Meanwhile, its three vacuum modes (high vacuum, low vacuum, and ESEM) provide the flexibility to accommodate the widest range of samples of any SEM available, including those that are outgassing or otherwise not vacuum-compatible.

Best in class for in situ imaging capabilities, dynamic experiments with excellent analytical capabilities

The Quattro ESEM is a highly flexible platform for in situ dynamic experiments. The Quattro ESEM’s environmental SEM capability allows scientists to study materials in a range of conditions, such as wet/humid, hot, or reactive environments, as they develop new materials and products. It supports cooling and heating experiments both in high vacuum and low vacuum to accommodate the widest range of needs. Cooling experiments on wet materials are possible with the Peltier cooling stage or if the transmission mode is needed, with Thermo Scientific WetSTEM Technology. Additionally, the Quattro ESEM provides several different possibilities to heat the samples of interest, both bulk and powders. Users can perform dynamic experiments at high temperatures both in high vacuum (with the high-vacuum heating stage), in low-vacuum/ESEM mode (with the two ESEM heating stages for temperatures up to 1,000°C and 1,400°C), and on a localized area for better control of the temperature change (with the Thermo Scientific µHeater Holder).

Thanks to the Quattro ESEM chamber size, it accommodates a wide range of accessories. Analytical capabilities include energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) with ports for 180-degree dual EDS attachment, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) coplanar with EDS, and wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS). Furthermore, the Quattro ESEM comes with the new Thermo Scientific ChemiSEM Technology, a unique live elemental imaging capability that is fully integrated into the SEM user interface, providing always-available compositional information through the most intuitive interface.

The Verios 5 XHR SEM offers subnanometer resolution over the full 1 keV to 30 keV energy range with excellent materials contrast. Unprecedented levels of automation and ease-of-use make this performance accessible to users of any experience level.

Scanning electron microscopy characterization

• High resolution nanomaterial imaging with the UC+ monochromated electron source for sub-nanometer performance from 1-30 kV.
• High contrast on sensitive materials with excellent performance down to 20 eV landing energy and high-sensitivity in-column and below-the-lens detectors and signal filtering for low-dose operation and optimal contrast selection.
• Greatly reduced time to nanoscale information for users with any experience level using the Elstar electron column featuring SmartAlign and FLASH technologies.
• Consistent measurement results with ConstantPower lenses, electrostatic scanning and a choice of two piezoelectric stages.
• Flexibility for accessories with a large chamber.
• Unattended SEM operation with Thermo Scientific AutoScript 4 Software, an optional Python-based application programming interface.

Even though scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has made tremendous advances, it can be considered by new users to be a complicated technique. Sample preparation, alignments, cost of ownership, and difficulties with analytical techniques prevent widespread adoption. We set out to resolve these challenges in order to make a truly accessible SEM without compromising on flexibility. Our goal was to make microscopy an easy and enjoyable experience in which you should not have to fight the microscope to obtain quality data. The result is the Thermo Scientific Axia ChemiSEM Scanning Electron Microscope, a system in which obtaining SEM-EDS data is no longer a chore. EDS is no longer just an afterthought—chemical data and imaging have now become one.

SEM EDS analysis

The Axia ChemiSEM is unlike traditional SEMs in that it always collects EDS data in the background. It uses unique algorithms to process the SEM and EDS signals simultaneously, allowing it to display the morphology and quantitative elemental make up of a sample together, in real time. It constantly processes EDS data in the background, giving you live updates on elemental data, as it is acquired. Elements found in your sample can be toggled on and off, allowing you to isolate areas of interest.

The Axia ChemiSEM features a superior user experience enhanced by automation, such as SmartAlign technology for alignment-free operation, newly developed automatic functions, and live quantitative EDS mapping. This always-on processing make analysis twice as fast, compared to traditional methods. The Axia ChemiSEM Scanning Electron Microscope puts SEM/EDS analysis within reach of a wider scientific audience, speeds up your workflow, and saves time on training.