The microscope is dedicated to atomic scale imaging and spectroscopy, which is especially relevant for the development and characterization of 2D materials and quantum nanomaterials. The microscope is also equipped with a Super-X EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray) spectrometer and a Gatan Continuum K3 EELS (Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy) spectrometer with direct electron detection and capable of performing chemical analysis at atomic scale resolution.

The energy resolution is below 25 mV and the spatial resolution is below 50pm at 300 kV and below 1 Å even at energies as low as 60 kV.

Pictures of the microscope installed at JEMCA.

Status and access

The microscope is already accepting users with an important percentage of the time reserved for the partner institutions that have participated in the collaborative ERDF funding. The remaining time is offered to the scientific community with a competitive access through the standard call for proposals managed by the ALBA User Office.

There are different types of access:

Call for proposals

Additional information can be provided by the ALBA User Office or contacting directly the EM02-Metcam Research Engineer.

Partner institutions

This acquisition has been possible thanks to a collaborative funding from ERDF - A way of making Europe, which includes the following additional participants: the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) acting as owner of the equipment, the ALBA Synchrotron where the microscope has been installed and is operated, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).

Safety during experiments

What cannot be done at the EM02-METCAM for safety reasons:

• Radioactive compounds: Radioactive sources as defined in RD 35/2008 will not be accepted. Samples containing radioactive isotopes below these specific limits MUST be declared and acceptance will be studied case by case.
• Nanoparticles: Powder samples with sub-micron grain sizes are considered herein. Measurement on nano size materials could be authorized when sample is properly filled in sealed confinement or firmly bonded to a substrate. However, the manipulation on the beamline and/or related laboratory of loose powder is forbidden.
• Hazardous materials producing toxic or highly contaminant particulate matter suspensions on air.
• Highly contaminant low-vapor pressure molecules or compounds degrading the ultra-high vacuum conditioning and cleanness of instrumentation.
• Any biological sample which requires safety level above 2
• Illegal substances and/or samples: (f.i. drugs, unregulated agricultural or food samples, etc.) unless it is explicitly proved that it is allowed by Spanish regulations.

Disclaimer: This list is not comprehensive; it only indicates the experimental conditions and sample characteristics that could not be accepted due to technical and/or safety reasons. The acceptance of any materials (including equipment) is subjected to the availability of all required safety conditions and protective equipment.

Additional information

• ThermoFisher microscope datasheet

Funding entities