3D sections and sub-nanometer resolution detail detection by new microscope

At CXI TUL we have a new unique electron microscope Helios 5 PFIB CXe and offer detailed analysis to companies.

The Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovations (CXI TUL) is newly equipped with a state-of-the-art electron microscope, the Helios 5 PFIB CXe, which offers unique possibilities for research and detailed analysis of materials. Companies from the region are thus offered access to a technology that opens up new possibilities for quality control, analysis of materials, examination of alloys, welds or defects.

"With this microscope, we can offer comprehensive, efficient and highly accurate analyses that surpass the capabilities commonly available in industry. The instrument is also equipped with a wide range of detectors that capture details of material composition, microstructure and chemical properties of samples," says Miroslav Černík, Director of CXI TUL.

The microscope, combining electron and plasma tubes, can look deep into the structure of samples and provides a wide range of detections - from chemical and structural properties to crystallographic orientation. At a cost of more than CZK 45 million, the microscope offers companies from the Liberec region the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the materials they work with, down to nanometre resolution.

"Helios makes it possible to perform ultra-precise analyses of materials, which is important for quality testing, alloy research or investigating defects at a level that has not been commonly available until now," comments Pavel Kejzlar, a researcher from the microscopy laboratory at CXI TUL.

The microscope is also equipped with a full range of detectors. "They allow us to detect physical signals arising from the interaction of primary electrons or xenon ions with the material, thus obtaining a range of key data about the sample under investigation. Topographic contrast allows us to see fine structural details, chemical contrast informs about the areal distribution of light or heavier elements, diffracted electrons carry information about the type and orientation of the crystal lattice, characteristic X-ray radiation allows us to determine the local chemical composition, and thanks to transmitted electrons we can observe fine details of the internal structure such as nanoprecipitates or dislocations," says Mateusz Fijalkowski, Head of the Department of Advanced Materials at the TUL.

The microscope is the perfect choice for companies that need detailed information about their materials to improve products, control production processes or develop new technologies. "Interested industrial partners can use our services for custom research and analysis, and we also offer consultations with our experts. We are ready to provide detailed data and support companies from the region and the German border region," says Adam Blazek, Director for Industry at CXI TUL.

Research projects and applications

In the initial three years, the microscope will be used for applied research. The project partners from SMEs will be able to use material analysis to address production shortcomings, improve products and increase competitiveness.

The microscope allows you to perform:
- Structural analysis: investigation of the microstructure and nanostructure of materials.
- Chemical analyses.
- Crystallographic analyses: analysis of the type and orientation of the crystal lattice.
- Defectoscopy.

The acquisition of the new microscope will provide data that was previously unavailable, leading to a better understanding of the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of materials. For more information, contact the Microscopy Laboratory at: microscopy@tul.cz

CXI TUL financed the new microscope Helios 5 PFIB CXe thanks to a grant from the Interreg Czech-Saxon programme within the SUPPORT4SME project for 45.375.000 CZK including VAT, the research institute covered 20% of the amount from its own resources.

CXI INTRODUCED A NEW MICROSCOPE TO THE MEDIA.

Check out the reports:

CZECH TV - Events in the regions | 14. 11. 2024
Coverage from 3:02

TV NOVA - Television news - 14. 11. 2024
Scientists from Liberec presented a unique microscope. It can see down to the nanoscale level