A microscope is a device that magnifies images of small objects, allowing the viewer to examine small structures up close and at a scale that is appropriate. Images can be magnified by a variety of waveforms other than light, such as acoustic waves, X-rays, or electron beams, and then received by direct or digital imaging, or a mix of these modalities. Microscopes can produce either dynamic or static images (like traditional optical equipment) (such as traditional scanning electron microscopes).
An optical microscope, in which an image is formed by a glass lens, is the most common type of microscope. The optical microscope can be relatively simple, consisting of only one lens, or it can be a composite consisting of several optical elements.
Other microscopes rely on the inconstancy of other physical processes. The most important is the electron microscope, which uses electron beams to form images. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) has a magnification of over 1000000 times. It creates a near-vacuum image of a thin sample. In contour specimens, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) produces embossed reflection pictures. Although the resolution is typically lower than that of a TEM, it is capable of displaying solid surfaces in a way that regular electron microscopes are unable to.
Alfa Chemistry has a number of cutting-edge microscopes on hand. To supply you with diverse coating studies, we use the most recent breakthroughs in super-resolution imaging. Please contact us to discuss how we might assist you if you wish to use our equipment for contract or consulting work.
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of high-resolution scanning probe microscope that can image and analyze the surface of materials with resolutions ranging from micrometers to nanometers.
Applications of Atomic Force Microscopy include but are not limited to:
- Image of surface topography in air and liquid.
- Hardness, Young's modulus, phase mapping
- Force measurement, such as surface energetics, electrostatics, etc.
- Functional detection, such as biological system analysis, adhesion dynamics
Electron Microscope for Materials Research
Our capabilities are focused on high-impact imaging and analysis for solid materials research, such as metals, ceramics, semiconductors, nanostructures, biomaterials, and polymers.
The facility is equipped with several cutting-edge instruments that can be used for both basic material research and manufacturing-related investigations such as failure analysis, corrosion and defect study, and process control. Please keep learning about how we can assist you.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
- With a resolution of roughly 1-4 nm, it can photograph the surface structure of bulk materials.
- It may determine the chemical composition and distribution of elements near/at the surface of bulk materials using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and backscattered electron imaging (BSE).
- It can, for example, map cathodoluminescence near the surface of bulk materials to detect structural flaws and inclusions.
- It can map crystal orientation and structure in bulk materials using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD).
Scanning/Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM/TEM)
- It can be used to image dislocations, grain boundaries, inclusions, interfaces, and corrosion layers at the atomic level.
- Electron diffraction can be used to determine the microcrystalline structure.
- It can perform chemical analysis and mapping using EDX.
- It may analyze chemical and local atomic bonding using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS).
- It may employ TEM and STEM ultra-high resolution atomic resolution imaging (0.1nm resolution) with aberration correction.
Cryo-Electron Microscope Instrument
Microscopy kits for examining biological samples are available in our cryo-electron microscope facility, including our most modern Arctica microscope. It determines the three-dimensional structure of biomolecules and cells using the most advanced automation and detecting technology.
Optical Microscope Instruments
Our optical microscopes come with a variety of imaging systems, allowing you to image your samples utilizing a variety of microscope techniques. Confocal microscopes, SIM microscopes, wide-field microscopes, stereo microscopes, light-sheet microscopes, image analysis suites, and other facilities are among them.
For more detailed facility information, please click the link below.
