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.
ItemJSM-IT510 Analytical SEMJCM-7000 NeoScope Benchtop SEMJIB-PS500i FIB-SEMJSM-IT210 SEMJSM-IT810 Ultrahigh Resolution Field Emission SEM Series
Catalog NumberJSM-IT510JCM-7000JIB-PS500iJSM-IT210JSM-IT810 Series
Price
DescriptionInTouchScope™ SEM Series

The JSM-IT510 InTouchScope™ SEM Series delivers the highest level of intelligent technology with built-in automation for the most versatile analytical SEM available today.

Smart – Flexible – Powerful
  • Smart – The latest innovations with our InTouchScope™ series SEMs make
... Read More
This 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 MoreThe 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
... Read More
InTouchScope™ 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 More
ResolutionHigh Vacuum: 3.0 nm at 30 kV, 15.0 nm at 1.0 kV
Low Vacuum (with Backscattered Electron Detector): 4.0 nm at 30 kV
InquireSEM : 0.7 nm (15 kV) ; 1.4 nm (1 kV); 1.0 nm (1 kV, BD mode)
FIB:3 nm (at 30 kV)
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 30kV
Specimen Size200 mm diameter, 90 mm heightInquireInquire150 mm diameter x 53 mm heightInquire
Probe Current1 pA to 1 µAInquireInquire1 pA to 1 µAMaximum probe current of 300 nA
ApplicationsLive analysis, simple EDS, high and low vacuum.Provides outstanding SEM images and elemental analysis results in minutesInquireCompact stationary scanning electron microscope, embedded EDS, live analysis, heat-sensitive specimens, element mapsInquire
Detector(s)Accommodates a wide variety of detectors and accessories such as: EDS, WDS, EBSD, CL, STEM, heating/cooling substages etc.Backscattered electron detectorSecondary electron detector (SED), Upper electron detector (UED), In-lens backscattered electron detector (iBED)Small area EDS detectorSemiconductor type BSE detector
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