Frequently asked questions
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Image basics
- What is magnification?
See answer in - Magnification range: what is it for an SEM?
See answer in - What is resolution?
See answer in - What is a scale bar and what does it do?
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Forming an image of a sample
- What are images created with the secondary electron detector used for?
See answer in - What are images created with the backscatter electron detector used for?
See answer in - How do the following terms relate to one another: HT, kV, accelerating voltage?
See answer in - What is stigmation, why is it important, and how is it corrected for?
See answer in - How do I get an image up on the SEM screen?
See answer in - How do I change the machine parameters to get a good image at low magnification?
See answer in - How do I change the machine parameters to get a good image at high magnification?
See answer in - How do I get a backscattered electron image (BSE) image?
See answer in - Why are micrographs not in colour?
See answer in - What happens when an electron beam hits a sample?
See answer in - What kind of samples can be put in an SEM?
See answer in - How do I improve my image?
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Electron beam interaction with the sample
- What are the available accelerating voltages in SEM and why is this important?
See answer in - What affect does sample have on my choice of machine parameters?
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Machine components and related topics
- What is the difference between high and low vacuum mode?
- What does "time to pump down" mean?
See answer in - What does "stage travel in both the X and Y directions" mean?
See answer in - What is "Z direction" and why is this important in SEM? How is it related to the terms "sample height" and "working distance"?
See answer in - Why might you want to tilt a sample?
See answer in - What is meant by "rotation" of a sample?
See answer in - What is meant by the term probe size (or spot size) and why is it important?
See answer in - Why might different objective lens apertures need to be selected for good imaging?
See answer in - What is meant by focus in an SEM and how is it achieved?
See answer in - What is meant by the "chamber"?
- Why is vacuum important in SEM?
See answer in - What is meant by the term "pump out" or "evacuate chamber"?
See answer in - What is a gate in an SEM?
- What are the parts of the machine?
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General
- What different kinds of SEMs exist and how do I choose between them?
See answer in - When are cryo-preparation methods advantageous?
See answer in - What risks are involved in doing electron microscopy?
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