FusionScope®: Combining AFM and SEM for Materials Characterization

In the realm of materials characterization research, the integration of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) stands as an indispensable approach due to its comprehensive analytical capabilities. Combining these techniques allows researchers to achieve a detailed, multi-faceted understanding of materials at the nanoscale, revealing intricate relationships between a material’s structure, properties, and performance.

Traditionally, moving between AFM and SEM imaging meant physically transferring the sample, recalibrating equipment, and risking contamination or damage. These steps not only consumed valuable time but also introduced potential inconsistencies in sample conditions.

Enter FusionScope—a revolutionary platform that combines AFM and SEM capabilities into one seamless system.

With FusionScope, researchers can effortlessly switch between AFM and SEM without the need for sample transfer, ensuring pristine sample conditions and significantly cutting down preparation time. Both measurement techniques use the same shared coordinate system and are operated within a single user interface. This cutting-edge integration harnesses the strengths of both techniques, delivering a comprehensive and uninterrupted nanostructural analysis. By eliminating the hurdles of traditional methods, FusionScope is setting a new standard in materials characterization, empowering scientists to explore the nanoscale with unprecedented precision and efficiency. To illustrate FusionScope's capabilities, let's examine a couple of key applications in materials characterization.

Materials Characterization

Study of Magnetic Properties of Artificial Spin Ice using Correlative MFM and SEM

Spin ice is a fascinating and unique state of matter within the field of condensed matter physics, characterized by its magnetic frustration and emergent phenomena. In spin ice materials, the magnetic moments, or "spins," are arranged in a manner analogous to the positions of hydrogen atoms in water ice, hence the name. This arrangement leads to a highly degenerate ground state and the emergence of exotic excitations that mimic magnetic monopoles – entities long theorized in physics but never observed in isolation. The study of spin ice not only provides insights into fundamental aspects of magnetism and statistical mechanics but also has implications for the development of new technologies, such as advanced magnetic storage systems and quantum computing.

A sample of patterned Permalloy (Ni81Fe19) was used to demonstrate FusionScope’s capability to provide correlative MFM and SEM analysis. Figure 1 shows the three different “Penrose patterns” that were analyzed. Such structures, where each nanorod is essentially a small ferromagnet, are potential candidates for ultra-high-density data storage devices. We fabricated high-aspect ratio magnetic tips using a 3D nano-printing technology. These 3D nano-printed tips are typically made of Fe or FeCo and allow tip radii of only 10 nm.

Using FusionScope’s unified coordinate system in combination with Profile View, the cantilever can be easily navigated to the region of interest. This allows precise positioning of the magnetic cantilever tip on the different magnetic nanostructures (Figure 1, bottom row). Correlative SEM and AFM topography can be performed and directly correlated using the FusionScope software interface (Figure 1, top row).

To study the artificial spin ice, we used dual scan MFM in lift mode with a typical lift height of 40 nm. As can be seen in Figure 2 (top row) the artificial spin ice is composed of structures with typical heights of 35 to 50 nm (depending on the specific structure). In all three different structures the measured intensity of the magnetic field changes at the vertices of the separated or interconnected nanorods (Figure 2, bottom row). These vertices with high intensities can act as hotspots where ferromagnetic switching of the nanorods can occur under an applied external magnetic field.

In summary, FusionScope provides an easy-to-use platform for correlative SEM and MFM analysis of magnetic nanostructures. Combining the benefits of a joint coordinate system, easy tip positioning via Profile View, and high-resolution MFM data with reduced phase artifacts enables new ways of characterizing your magnetic samples.

Characterize Magnetic Phase Structures using MFM

Duplex is a family of stainless steel grades that contain a mixture of austenitic and ferritic phases that provide higher mechanical strength and ductility compared to standard steel grades. In-situ Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) enables the detailed analysis of the magnetic properties of different types of duplex steel samples. With the FusionScope the different phases of the steel surfaces can be visualized, and the cantilever is easily positioned at the grain boundary of two distinct phases. Using a magnetic cantilever tip the magnetic properties can be analyzed, and the ferromagnetic sub domains can be imaged with high resolution.

Evaluate Barriers in Materials using EFM

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) is a ceramic material exhibiting interesting optical, electrical, and thermal properties shifting it to the center of scientific attention. More recently BaTiO3 is also gaining importance for engineering applications. Ferroelectric BaTiO3 is a non-linear positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) material and is used in resistors. Polycrystalline doped barium titanate exhibits a wide range of electrical resistance depending on the temperature which is employed in sensors and actuators.

The macroscopic electronic properties of polycrystalline BaTiO3 ceramics are governed by potential barriers forming between single grains. To reach a better understanding of the overall resistance of barium titanate it is essential to be able to characterize the potential differences in the crystalline material at the nanoscale.

This characterization can be done with Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM). It is widely used in electronics development to map electronic characteristics of complex, sub-micron electrical materials. FusionScope enables the possibility for in-situ EFM analysis. The high resolution of the SEM can be used to easily identify grain boundaries and perform the EFM analysis directly at the region of interest.

Publication: Complementary evaluation of potential barriers in semiconducting barium titanate by electrostatic force microscopy and capacitance–voltage measurements (Scripta Materialia)

As we continue to advance in materials science ...

FusionScope stands as a vital tool for researchers, scientists, and engineers dedicated to enhancing our understanding of material properties. Learn how this innovative correlative microscopy platform can empower you to achieve detailed and accurate material characterization by visiting fusionscope.com.