Electroscan ESEM-E3

This environmental SEM is capable of operating at pressures as high as 50 torr down to pressures comparable to most SEMs. It allows flexibility in specimen types, often with minimum sample preparation, for viewing in their "natural" states. The ESEM operates in a magnification range of 100x to 100,000x, and has guaranteed resolution of 5.0nm. Users can select voltages from 1 to 30kV and can easily record on videotape the height brightness images made possible with a lanthanum hexaboride filament. Additional features include Peltier cooling stage, a heating stage up to 1000 degrees C, and micro-manipulator/injector for manipulation of the sample or injection of water or other gases. For further information on this instrument, call or e-mail Rick Littleton.

Special acknowledgement requirement for the ESEM:

NSF guidelines mandate that the use of the funded ESEM E-3 must be properly acknowledged in any publications (including Web pages): "The ESEM acquisition was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. ECS-9214314."

Users are also required to file a copy of any relevant publication containing the acknowledgement with the MIC Administrative Office.

These all offer semi-automatic operation of focus, stigmation, contrast adjustments and magnification correction. Computerized image capture and storage are possible on the environmental SEM.