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.
ItemJIB-PS500i FIB-SEMJAMP-9510F Field Emission Auger MicroprobeJCM-7000 NeoScope Benchtop SEMJSM-IT210 SEMNeoScope™ Benchtop SEM JCM-7000
Catalog NumberJIB-PS500iJAMP-9510FJCM-7000JSM-IT210JCM-7000
Price
DescriptionThe all-new JIB-PS500i is a multipurpose FIB-SEM that delivers the synergy of fast sample preparation, SEM imaging and EDS analysis in a single instrument. The flexibility of this new FIB-SEM makes it ideal for both industry and academia.

Key Features
  • Fast High-Quality TEM Sample Preparation

  • The
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The 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 MoreThis 4th generation Neoscope incorporates advanced technology and functions that make it simple for users at any skill level to obtain outstanding SEM images and elemental analysis results in minutes. It is equipped with a large chamber, high and low vacuum modes, secondary and backscatter electron ... 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
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An 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
TypeInquireAuger microprobeInquireInquireInquire
ResolutionSEM : 0.7 nm (15 kV) ; 1.4 nm (1 kV); 1.0 nm (1 kV, BD mode)
FIB:3 nm (at 30 kV)
3nm(at 25kV, 10pA)InquireHigh vacuum mode: 3.0 nm at 30 kV
Low vacuum mode: 4.0 nm at 30 kV (using Backscattered Electron Detector).
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Specimen SizeInquireUp to 20 mm in diameter (5 mm thick)Inquire150 mm diameter x 53 mm heightInquire
Probe CurrentInquire10-11 to 2×10-7 AInquire1 pA to 1 µAInquire
ApplicationsInquireEnables precise chemical bonding state analysis and compositional mapping, making it indispensable for researchers and engineers in materials science, nanotechnology, and related fields.?Provides outstanding SEM images and elemental analysis results in minutesCompact stationary scanning electron microscope, embedded EDS, live analysis, heat-sensitive specimens, element mapsMaterials characterization, eds analysis, elemental analysis, SEM images
Detector(s)Secondary electron detector (SED), Upper electron detector (UED), In-lens backscattered electron detector (iBED)Multi-channel detectionBackscattered electron detectorSmall area EDS detectorBackscattered electron detector
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