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Fiber-optic Based Spectral Cathodoluminescence: Simple and Economic Option for Use in Conventional and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2002

Brendan J. Griffin  and
James R. Browne
Brendan J. Griffin*
Affiliation:
Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands
James R. Browne
Affiliation:
Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands
*
Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6907, Australia
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Abstract

A fiber-optic based spectral cathodoluminescence (CL) system has been successfully installed on a variable pressure “environmental” scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The fine size of the fiber (50 μm) has been found to require careful alignment. To provide this alignment, a simple X–Y translator has been used. The aligned fiber exhibits high efficiency and the system has recorded spectra at up to 3 million “counts” per sec on strongly cathodoluminescent doped yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) samples, at 30 kV and ˜3 nA. A resolution of 3 nm [full width half maximum (FWHM)] at 621 nm has been measured from a red laser diode spectrum, on the ESEM column. A range of uncoated materials has been measured to characterize the CL system; these materials ranged from strongly luminescent YAG to weakly luminescent polymers. Wellcharacterized doped zircons have also been investigated. These data suggest that the previously reported intrinsic peak from zircon is a consequence of high-beam currents.

Keywords

fiber-opticspectral cathodoluminescenceenvironmental scanning electron microscopemineralszircon
Type
Research Article
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , January 2000 , pp. 42 - 48
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2000

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