Enhanced Sample Navigation and Remote Working

Oxford Instruments EDS users have benefited from technological advancements in recent years, with Ultim large area detectors and AZtecLive chemical imaging not only increasing their productivity but also their capability to obtain useful information in extreme conditions. This increase in productivity and capability has changed the way users want to interact with their SEM-EDS system.

Another change to the way user’s work has been necessitated by the current COVID pandemic. Where users have looked at ways, they can perform their analysis remotely. Since the majority of systems were never designed to be used in this way, there have been many challenged to overcome. Aside from connection problems, one of the most time-consuming issues is setting up two remote connections: one for the SEM and one for the EDS system. This generally means users continually switching between the two connections as they investigate their samples.

In this tutorial we show how the latest AZtecLive software has evolved, to not only make use of the latest technological advancements in large area detectors, but also help remove some of the barriers to carrying out remote SEM-EDS analysis.

People who might be interested in this tutorial:

• Anyone doing imaging and microanalysis in the SEM or FIB
• Individuals involved in routine materials characterisation and screening
• Managers of multi-user analytical facilities with a range of instrument capabilities
• Those wishing to perform more remote SEM-EDS analysis