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-IT810 Ultrahigh Resolution Field Emission SEM SeriesJCM-7000 NeoScope Benchtop SEMJSM-IT210 SEMJSM-IT710 High Resolution Large Chamber SEMJXA-iSP100 Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer
Catalog NumberJSM-IT810 SeriesJCM-7000JSM-IT210JSM-IT710JXA-iSP100
Price
DescriptionThe 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 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
... Read More
High Resolution Large Chamber SEM

The JSM-IT710HR Field Emission SEM is a compact, versatile Schottky Field Emission SEM that delivers the next level of intelligent technology for high spatial resolution imaging and analysis.

Our unique in-lens field emission gun and advanced electron optics
... Read More
Research 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 More
TypeInquireInquireInquireInquireInquire
Resolution1.6 nm at 1 kV, 1.2nm at 30kVInquireHigh vacuum mode: 3.0 nm at 30 kV
Low vacuum mode: 4.0 nm at 30 kV (using Backscattered Electron Detector).
High Vacuum Mode: 1.0 nm at 20 kV, 3.0 nm at 1.0 kV.
Low Vacuum Mode: 1.8 nm at 15 kV (using Backscattered Electron Detector).
6 nm (5 nm with LaB6 emitter)
Specimen SizeInquireInquire150 mm diameter x 53 mm height200 mm diameter, 75 mm heightInquire
Probe CurrentMaximum probe current of 300 nAInquire1 pA to 1 µAFew pA to 300 nAInquire
ApplicationsInquireProvides outstanding SEM images and elemental analysis results in minutesCompact stationary scanning electron microscope, embedded EDS, live analysis, heat-sensitive specimens, element mapsHigh spatial resolution imaging and analysisHigh-resolution imaging, quantitative elemental analysis, and chemical state analysis
Detector(s)Semiconductor type BSE detectorBackscattered electron detectorSmall area EDS detectorQuadrant BSEInquire
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