Acquisition of complementary and support equipment for a scanning electron microscopy facility

Abstract

The Laboratory for Technological Characterization (LCT - www.lct.poli USP.br) at the USP Polytechnic School has provided support to the academic and technological community for more than 15 years in scanning electron microscopy and microchemical analysis, chemical analyses by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffractometry, determination of particle and size by low angle laser light scattering. The partnership with the academic community have provided the interaction of the LCT with different research groups within the USP and at other institutions in the development of interdisciplinary projects. The laboratory infrastructure is available for use in the multiuser system or based on the precept of co-responsibility, in which the users share the operational costs. This maximizes the use of the existing resources, the dissemination of advanced techniques of materials characterization, as well as the maintenance of the equipment and of a highly qualified team for its operation. Recently, with the support of the Brazilian Financing Agency for Studies and Projects and the effective participation of a large segment of the academic community, a new field-emission gun scanning electron microscope (Quanta600 FEG; FEI Company) was acquired and installed. That, together with the Stereoscan S440 scanning electron microscope (Leica), has helped to meet the needs of a great number of institutions. However, the wide diversity of applications have brought to light certain restrictions in terms of complementary equipment or accessories in order to take greater advantage of the current resources. Those constitute the object of the present request in the area of scanning electron microscopy. (AU)