Scanning Electron Microscopy Lab

The CSU, Chico Geobiology Research Group maintains a TESCAN VEGA-3 LMU VP scanning electron microscope and an EDAX Octane Elect energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS). The facility is open to CSU Chico students, faculty, and staff, as well as off-campus users.

Funding for the instrument was provided through a grant from the National Science Foundation - MRI 1523226. The facility is managed by staff and faculty of the College of Natural Sciences and is located just off the lobby of the new Science Building – SCI 124.

Calendar

We do our best to keep the SEM usage calendar up to date, but please check before planning on a particular timeslot. To schedule time on the SEM contact sem@csuchico.edu.

View the Calendar

Instrumentation

Tescan Vega-3 SEM

• Low vacuum operation up to 500 Pascals (approx. 4 Torr)
• Ultra-High-Resolution Digital Image Acquisition up to 16k x 16k pixels (16-bit video)
• Everhart-Thornley Secondary Electron Detector with YAG scintillator
• Retractable YAG Backscattered Electron Detector (UHV bellows retractor)
• Multi-ported specimen chamber, 230mm internal dia., 11+ ports
• Fully motorized compucentric 5-axis stage (X=80mm, Y=60mm, Z=47mm,
• Rotation=360°, Bidirectional tilt = -80° to +80°) 

 EDAX Octane Elect EDS Detector

• LN-free Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) system with integrated Peltier cooling
• 30mm2 SDD sensor, 133eV resolution of better at MnK, Silicon Nitride thin window with detection to
• Fixed detector position
• APEX™ EDS Analysis Software

Cressington 108 Gold Sputter Coater - Instruction Sheet

Cressington 108A Carbon Coater - Instruction Manual

Please contact us for your specific preparation needs.

Rates and Policies

Hourly Rates

Coating
Carbon: $5 per run + applicable hourly rate for sample prep (if required)
Gold: $10 per run + applicable hourly rate for sample prep (if required)

Critical Point Drying
$5 per sample + applicable hourly rate for sample prep (if required)

Policies
All users must be approved by one of the SEM PIs (E. Nuester, J. Nuester, R. Shapiro, G. Wolfe), or the Lab Director (W. Koperwhats) prior to using the equipment. This may include training hours at our discretion. 

Priority scheduling goes to CSU Chico Geobiology researchers.