12 Nov
Oxford Instruments launches Ultim Max Infinity
EDS gets even faster, simpler, more accurate, more reliable
Oxford Instruments has launched Ultim® Max Infinity, the latest generation of the world’s most advanced EDS detector range. Ultim Max Infinity unlocks the infinite potential of EDS for the SEM offering unique new performance and capability to solve those complex or difficult characterisation challenges where current generation EDS detectors struggle.
Infinity large area SDD collects more signal than other detectors, enabling smaller nano-structures to be analysed or larger micro-structures to be measured more quickly. This is because Infinity is available with a largest sensor; up to 170 mm2.
For nanoanalysis, it is critical for the detector to have good low energy performance where peaks are up to 10x closer together than at MnK. Therefore, Infinity uses new Extreme II electronics to achieve the best low energy resolution, measured at CK and guaranteed to be 46 eV or better at up to 50,000 cps for all sensor sizes. For fast, accurate microanalysis Infinity also has best Mn resolution guaranteed at an unparalleled 200,000 cps.
X-ray mapping and phase identification of microstructures, particles and grains is now possible in seconds with large area detectors generating hundreds of thousands of counts per second, enough even to power real-time investigation of sample chemistry with Live Chemical Imaging. Infinity uses new pulse processing technology to maximise count rate from real X-rays and keep high count rate artefacts, such as pulse pile-up, to a minimum. The fast and accurate correction of artefacts afforded by Tru-Map and QuantMap removes not only peak overlap and X-ray background but also sum peak artefacts, and so reveals the true element distribution with unparalleled speed, even for minor elements.
Each Infinity detector produces optimum results and can solve the most complex analysis challenges, as it comes with new Tru-Q® IQ. This builds on Oxford Instruments unique Tru-Q technology, which provides accurate out of the box spectrum processing, autoID, mapping and quant analysis.
Business manager, Simon Burgess, explains, “The spectral performance of each Infinity detector is characterised on a SEM during manufacture. Then, they are individually optimised to ensure the processing of data from each detector exactly matches that performance. This technology accounts for the smallest differences in output between different detectors to ensure even the most complex spectra and X-ray peak combinations can be solved by every single detector.”
Ultim Max Infinity EDS detector range also includes Ultim Extreme Infinity. In addition to the aforementioned Infinity enhancements, this unique windowless detector delivers the best nano-characterisation and light element detection. Data collection at very low kV (e.g. 1-3 kV) and very short working distance is necessary for analysing the smallest structures in the SEM. Ultim Extreme Infinity enables EDS elemental analysis to be conducted under the conditions required to analyse nanomaterials and surfaces at the highest SEM resolution.
Infinity combines the largest sensors sizes, guaranteed detector performance at low and high energies and at a wide range of conditions with accurate and fast artefact correction, all powered by individually detector optimised Tru-Q IQ data processing. In this way, Infinity unlocks the Infinite potential of EDS to characterise materials, structures, particles and phases in the SEM: faster, simpler, more accurate and more reliable.