nano-analytics

Absorbed energy causes heating, which leads to radiation. The emissivity indicates how much radiation a body emits compared to the ideal radiator. We offer measurements of reflectance and emissivity at 82 °C / 180 °F in the range 3-30 µm of any coating as an integral value. Samples can be flat (sample size any, at least 5.5 x 5.5cm) and tubes can also be measured. The method is non-destructive. By comparing different coatings, calculations regarding energy savings/gains can be made.

To test the electrical insulation effect, the breakdown voltage can be measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 2376. Flat and almost flat surfaces can be measured. In modified form with "wet" contacting, the finest cracks in insulating layers can be detected.

A primary electron beam is generated with the aid of an electrode cathode and acceleration towards the anode, and then focused as finely as possible on the surface of the sample to be examined by means of subsequent electromagnetic lenses. In the probe, secondary electrons (SE), backscattering electrons (BSE) and X-rays are generated in an interaction volume dependent on the acceleration voltage and the material composition. The energy of the X-ray radiation depends on the atomic number of the emitting atom and is therefore "characteristic" of the element in question. All these signals can be registered with appropriate detectors. Corresponding topography, material and/or element contrasts can thus be imaged.

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is based on a controlled scanning movement of a pointed probe in close proximity to the sample surface. The obtained three-dimensional image information includes structures and roughness down to the atomic scale as well as local material properties. While scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is limited to electrically conductive materials, the variants of scanning force microscopy (AFM) also allow the investigation of insulator surfaces.

Photoelectron spectroscopy is based on the photoelectric effect: By excitation with photons, electrons are released from atoms, molecules or solids whose kinetic energy is determined. Depending on the excitation source, a distinction is made between XPS (X-Ray Photoelectron Spectros- copy, excitation with X-rays, Eprim > 100 eV) and UPS (Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy, excitation with UV radiation), Eprim < 100 eV).

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is one of the ion beam techniques. The sample is fired at with primary ions, which can be monatomic or cluster ions, with an energy of 0.2-25 keV. This produces neutral, positively and negatively charged particles.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy is a method for the (spatially resolved) analysis of functional groups of organic and inorganic materials and liquids. In IR spectroscopy, the probe to be examined is irradiated or penetrated with infrared light and the absorption loss that occurs at certain wave numbers is recorded in the IR spectrometer.

Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) measures the kinetic energies of Auger electrons, which emit a substance when excited with electron radiation. The kinetic energy of the Auger electron is characteristic of individual chemical elements and can therefore be used for elemental analysis. An electron is knocked out of an inner shell by the electron bombardment and filled from a higher level by an electron. The energy released is either emitted as X-rays or transferred without radiation to another (neighbouring) electron, which is then released.