MRI: Acquisition of an extreme-resolution low-voltage scanning electron microscope

MRI：购买高分辨率低压扫描电子显微镜

• 批准号: 1337694
• 负责人: Jon-Paul Maria
• 金额: $ 74万
• 依托单位: North Carolina State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-15 至 2014-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1337694&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: MRI; Acquisition; extreme; resolution; low

1337694Maria This Major Research Instrumentation award supports North Carolina State University (NCSU) with the acquisition of a high-resolution scanning electron microscope that can produce electron beams with landing energies lower than 0.1 keV while retaining lateral resolution below 1 nm. The proposed instrument enables imaging with beam currents below 5 pA. This combination of low landing energy and low current brings three transformational capabilities to NCSU: 1) it is possible to eliminate surface charging by balancing energy dependent electron arrival and emission rates; 2) it is possible to acquire information that is highly surface specific; and 3) it is possible to minimize beam damage in materials that would otherwise deteriorate rapidly. In combination, these capabilities will propel existing research by providing structural information at dramatically higher resolution and on samples that simply could not be imaged previously. These capabilities will enhance materials research at NCSU that is increasingly interdisciplinary, with focused efforts on electronic heterostructures, nanofiber/nanoparticle composites, colloidal assemblies, and DNA-mediated organic-inorganic assemblies. ***** This Major Research Instrumentation award supports North Carolina State University (NCSU) with the acquisition of an extreme-resolution scanning electron microscope that images with low energy electrons. The key benefit of this instrument is imaging with a resolving power approaching atomic dimensions without the limitations due to the accumulation of negative charges on the sample surface that severely limits image quality and resolution. Furthermore, this low energy probe allows researchers to explore organic substances like plastics, natural fibers, and in some cases cells, which would decompose rapidly if imaged in a conventional instrument. This instrument will strengthen existing interdisciplinary programs at NCSU and is the greater Research Triangle region through its ability to characterize a diverse palette of materials at extreme resolution. In addition the instrument will create new outreach opportunities to inspire future generations of students in science, technology and math disciplines.

1337694Maria 这项重大研究仪器奖支持北卡罗来纳州立大学 (NCSU) 购买一台高分辨率扫描电子显微镜，该显微镜可以产生着陆能量低于 0.1 keV 的电子束，同时保持横向分辨率低于 1 nm。所提议的仪器能够以低于 5 pA 的束流进行成像。低着陆能量和低电流的结合为 NCSU 带来了三种变革能力：1）可以通过平衡能量依赖的电子到达和发射速率来消除表面充电； 2）可以获得高度表面特异性的信息； 3）可以最大限度地减少材料中的光束损坏，否则材料会迅速恶化。结合起来，这些功能将通过提供分辨率更高的结构信息以及以前无法成像的样本来推动现有研究。这些能力将加强 NCSU 的材料研究，该研究日益跨学科，重点关注电子异质结构、纳米纤维/纳米粒子复合材料、胶体组装体和 DNA 介导的有机-无机组装体。 ***** 这项重大研究仪器奖支持北卡罗来纳州立大学 (NCSU) 购买一台可利用低能电子成像的极分辨率扫描电子显微镜。该仪器的主要优点是成像分辨率接近原子尺寸，不受样品表面负电荷积累严重限制图像质量和分辨率的限制。此外，这种低能量探针使研究人员能够探索塑料、天然纤维等有机物质，在某些情况下还可以探索细胞，如果在传统仪器中成像，这些物质会迅速分解。该仪器将加强北卡罗来纳州立大学现有的跨学科项目，并通过其以极高的分辨率表征多种材料的能力，成为更大的研究三角区域。此外，该工具还将创造新的推广机会，以激励未来几代学生在科学、技术和数学学科上的发展。