UnivSEM · Universal SEM as a multi-nano-analytical tool

The current scientific interest and next generation of nanotechnology-based products is combining converging fields and dealing with a large complexity (e.g. organic electronics, nanomedicine). We can see growing needs to visualize, manipulate, modify and characterize nano-objects in a single tool.The aim of the UnivSEM project is to develop a novel multimodal tool combining- a vision capability by integrating scanning electron (SEM), scanning probe (SPM) and optical microscopy (OM) thus enabling multimodal microscopy,- a chemical analysis capability by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX),- structural characterization by electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD),- a non-destructive optical analysis capability by confocal Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence (CL),- a tomography capability by complementary use of novel 3D orthogonal TOF-SIMS, 3D EBSD and 3D confocal Raman tomography (the last method being non-destructive) thus enabling correlation between alternative 3D methods.The proper resolution will be ensured by SEM column improvements, a new SPM design and OM type of Raman microscopy in SEM. Implementation of nano-scale 3D imaging, manipulation and non-destructive optical analysis in one universal instrument will represent a real breakthrough allowing simple operations or analyses in nanotechnology that are problematic or impossible nowadays.The fully functional prototype of the new tool will demonstrate its unique modularity, resolution, data acquisition and simplification of working environment. Direct application of this multimodal tool is expected in many industrial quality controls and in R&D sectors (e.g. photovoltaics, plasmonics and cell-nanoparticle interaction).