Analytical Applications Overview

STS Analytical Testing Lab provides for all your microscopy/analytical consulting requirements. Services include high magnification FESEM imaging with low kV capabilities on non-conducting samples. Other featured capabilities include Robinson backscattered electron imaging, and light element EDS analysis using a Silicon Drift Detector (SDD). High-speed x-ray color mapping down to Boron, linescans, and quantitative spectra. Additional services include a unique 3D Scanning Electron Roughness Analyzing Microscope. Walk-in clients are always welcome.

3-D Roughness Analyzer

In this example, a SEM image and topographic image of a pyramidal wafer were taken, then a Birdseye or 3D colored image was obtained (which can be rotated or tilted), followed by a Contour map.


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Coal ash & lead paint tests

SEMTech Solutions now offers the Coal Ash Test, specifically designed to assist LSP’s in their determination of the coal ash & wood ash Exemption under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP).


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Geology/Minerology - BSE Mode

When a SEM is used in BSE mode, the brightness of an image is based on atomic number. This effect can be studied in numerous applications, but is very useful when analyzing polished mineral sections, especially when combined with x-ray mapping.


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Materials Verification: X-Ray Mapping

The technique of X-ray mapping assigns a specific color to each element of interest. Elemental mapping is a critical tool for obtaining information in numerous applications, such as these Aluminum wires and pads crossing different regions in a semiconductor board.


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Membrane Filtration Technology

This x-section was obtained by fracturing the filter in liquid nitrogen. Note the path of the pores are not aligned vertically, but consist of a series of multiple intersecting paths.


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Metallurgical Studies

The SEM has always been an invaluable tool in the field of metallurgy. In this stainless steel sample, a titanium nitride inclusion has been identified by this EDS spectrum. The SEMATECH 90120401B method may be applied to this type of sample.


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Microtoming

Microtoming difficult samples for cross sectional work, such as coatings on paper, fabric, clothing and artwork, allow a more accurate measurement of the coating thickness without compressing or tearing away the bottom layer.


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Optical Microscopy

Obtain colored digital images by PLM, Top Light or Stereomicroscopy


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Particle / Pore Size Analysis

The manufacturer of this membrane states a pore size of 0.4 microns, but when verified by SEM, the actual pore size exhibits a wide range of diameters from 299.89nm to 493.93nm in size. Also note the various shapes of the pores.


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Pharmaceuticals

Perform drug formulation/retention studies to examine a particle’s shape (amorphous, crystalline, fibrous, platy, uniformity, porosity), particle size, and basic quality control, such as contaminant identification in a medicine vial.


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Soot ID

After initial PLM examination, the particle type is verified by a combination of SEM imaging and EDS chemical analysis for identifying combustion byproducts such as coal, coal ash, flyash, oil soot or wood ash.


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Zinc Whiskers

After visual inspection of raised floor panels in a computer lab, SEM images and EDS spectrums of the submitted sample confirm the existance of zinc whiskers. These whiskers can cause intermittant or catastrophic failures to computer equipment by creating short circuits.


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SEMTech Solutions, Inc. ~ 6 Executive Park Drive ~ North Billerica, MA 01862

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