Electron Probe Lab

The UW–Madison Electron Microprobe Lab is a regional facility and is open to both “inside” users (University of Wisconsin System) as well as others. The basic rate structure applies to UW System users. For academic and (non-profit) research institutions, we are required to add on the ~54% “overhead” required by the administration. We also offer our services to commercial entities, albeit at a rate that is competitive with private electron probe labs.

Sample preparation: this is a critical aspect of epma operation. Samples must be of the proper size and geometry to fit into our sample holders, but mainly be properly aligned with the electron source and spectrometers. Therefore, if you are new to this, before making any plans, please contact the electron probe lab manager (Dr. Will Nachlas).

Sample coating: We have two coaters, a traditional carbon evaporation unit (Denton, rebuilt oil-free) and a Leica ACE600 coater, which we mainly use for iridium coating (mainly for EBSD, but also for carbon epma)

Cameca SXFive Field Emission (#944) Spectrometer – Crystals

SP1: LTAP, LPC2
SP2: TAP, PET, LIF, PC1
SP3: LPET, LLIF
SP4: TAP, PET, LIF, PC0
SP5: LLIF, LPET

Note: LIF and LLIF above are the ‘normal’ 2d=200Ã… crystal diffractors.

The FE source provides improved targeting ability (now very small inclusions can be avoided) for “regular” 15 kV operation, but an important additional feature now being developed is low kV (e.g., 7 kV) operation where the X-ray generation volume is reduced and sub-micron analytical resolution is possible (see discussion of low voltage EPMA). The SXFiveFE operates with both Cameca PeakSight software and Probe for EPMA/Probe Image software. There is a ThermoScientific UltraDry EDS detector running Pathfinder.

Machine rates for academic and (non-profit) research institutions:

Prime Time (9 am to 9 pm): $50/hr
Non-prime time (9 pm to 9 am): $35/hr
24-hour Supersaver: $840

Note 1: Charge for operator time (e.g. setting up calibration and/or training) is $50/hr.

Rate for commercial users: $300/hr (this includes operator time)

Cameca SX51 (#485) Spectrometer – Crystals

SP1: TAP, PC2
SP2: TAP, PET, LIF, PC1
SP3: PET, LIF220
SP4: TAP, PET, LIF, PC0
SP5: LIF200, PET

Note: LIF200 is the ‘normal’ LIF crystal. We purchased an LIF220 several years ago to work with Mo Ka and learned in the process that while we certainly can count x-rays, Ar doesn’t like to be ionized very efficiently, so count rates are on the low side.

SX51 rates for academic and non-profit research institutions:

Prime time (9 am to 9 pm): $50/hr
Non-prime time (9 pm to 9 am): $35/hr
24-hour Supersaver: $840

Dr. Will Nachlas