Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM)

How Does a Scanning Electron Microscope Work?

A scanning electron microscope (also commonly abbreviated as SEM) uses beams of electrons to create magnified images of samples, as opposed to beams of light that a traditional microscope uses. SEMs use electrons that are bounced off near the surface region of a sample. Because the wavelength of electrons is notably smaller than that of light, the resolution of SEMs is greatly superior to that of a light microscope.

What Are Scanning Electron Microscopes Used For?

Because the SEM can magnify a sample up to 500,000 times its normal size and determine its chemical makeup, scanning electron microscopes have a wide range of applications. They are used for quality control in both the pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries, sample comparisons in forensics, diagnostics in medical labs, and in research labs to determine the composition of samples treated in different ways.

What Types of Scanning Electron Microscopes Are There?

Scanning electron microscopes have different kinds of signal detectors available that include back-scattered electrons (for imaging), characteristic X-rays (for determining types and amounts of elements present in the sample), transmitted electrons, and cathodoluminescence. Other variations in different scanning electron microscopes include availability of low or high vacuum mode and imaging options for bright field samples and/or dark field samples.

Check out this article "Integrated SEM Workflow Creates Powerful 'Nano-lab' " to see more ways in which SEM can be a valuable tool for your lab.


CompanyJEOL USA, Inc.JEOL USA, Inc.JEOL USA, Inc.JEOL USA, Inc.JEOL USA, Inc.
ItemJAMP-9510F Field Emission Auger MicroprobeJSM-IT210 SEMJSM-IT810 Ultrahigh Resolution Field Emission SEM SeriesJXA-iSP100 Electron Probe Micro-AnalyzerNeoScope™ Benchtop SEM JCM-7000
Catalog NumberJAMP-9510FJSM-IT210JSM-IT810 SeriesJXA-iSP100JCM-7000
Price
DescriptionThe JAMP-9510F offers the highest spatial resolution available in an Auger microprobe: (min. probe diameter of 3nm SEI; 8nm for Auger analysis). Employing a low-aberration condenser lens (in which an electrostatic field and a magnetic field are superposed), combined with a patented "in-lens' ... Read MoreInTouchScope™ Scanning Electron Microscope Series

The JSM-IT210 InTouchScope™ SEM Series incorporates the latest in JEOL intelligent technology and automation in a compact package.

Smart – Flexible – Powerful
  • Smart – The latest innovations with our InTouchScope™ series SEMs make them accessible at
... Read More
The JEOL IT810 Ultrahigh Resolution Field Emission SEM is a revolutionary FE-SEM with the most advanced high-resolution analytical technology available today. Versatility and high spatial resolution meet automation and ease of use with the JSM-IT810 series FE SEM. The JEOL IT810 series offers the ... Read MoreResearch grade EPMA that provides both high imaging resolution and analytical resolution with a very high and stable probe current for optimum analytical performance. This new microprobe has a new SEM and EDS user interface (GUI) based on the FEG SEM's "SEM Center". It includes new algorithms for ... Read MoreAn easy to use benchtop SEM with advanced features of full-sized SEMs. User can easily navigate from an optical image to high resolution SEM imaging and further analysis, set automatic conditions based on sample type and application, ensuring high quality results and enhanced productivity. Produces... Read More
TypeAuger microprobeInquireInquireInquireInquire
Resolution3nm(at 25kV, 10pA)High vacuum mode: 3.0 nm at 30 kV
Low vacuum mode: 4.0 nm at 30 kV (using Backscattered Electron Detector).
1.6 nm at 1 kV, 1.2nm at 30kV6 nm (5 nm with LaB6 emitter)Inquire
Specimen SizeUp to 20 mm in diameter (5 mm thick)150 mm diameter x 53 mm heightInquireInquireInquire
Probe Current10-11 to 2×10-7 A1 pA to 1 µAMaximum probe current of 300 nAInquireInquire
ApplicationsEnables precise chemical bonding state analysis and compositional mapping, making it indispensable for researchers and engineers in materials science, nanotechnology, and related fields.?Compact stationary scanning electron microscope, embedded EDS, live analysis, heat-sensitive specimens, element mapsInquireHigh-resolution imaging, quantitative elemental analysis, and chemical state analysisMaterials characterization, eds analysis, elemental analysis, SEM images
Detector(s)Multi-channel detectionSmall area EDS detectorSemiconductor type BSE detectorInquireBackscattered electron detector
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