BSE detector
The externally mounted backscattered electron (BSE) detector is used to map the atomic number contrast of materials within a sample. This method allows different material phases in a sample to be distinguished quickly and easily on the basis of their chemical/elemental composition. Materials that are composed of relatively heavier elements appear brighter.
![Nannofossil im SE Bild ©Gerald Auer / Universität Graz Recording ©Gerald Auer / Universität Graz](https://static.uni-graz.at/fileadmin/_files/_nawi_sites/_erdwissenschaften/Ausstattung/REM_HS_Neu/SE_700.jpg)
![Mikrobielles Phosphat abgebildet mit dem BSE Detektor ©Gerald Auer / Universität Graz BSE700 ©Gerald Auer / Universität Graz](https://static.uni-graz.at/fileadmin/_files/_nawi_sites/_erdwissenschaften/Ausstattung/REM_HS_Neu/BSE_700.jpg)
Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis system
The SEM is also equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis system, EDX for short. With this analytical add-on, element distribution images can be generated in the samples to be analyzed.
The measuring principle is as follows: When the electron beam used to generate the image interacts with the sample, X-rays characteristic of the elements contained in the sample are produced, among other things. The detector receives this radiation and displays the signal either as an energy spectrum or as a flat image with different colors for individual elements. This allows the chemical composition of examined samples to be determined quickly.
![Elementverteilungsbild aufgenommen mit dem EDS Detektor ©Gerald Auer / Universität Graz Element distribution image taken with the EDS detector ©Gerald Auer / Universität Graz](https://static.uni-graz.at/fileadmin/_files/_nawi_sites/_erdwissenschaften/Ausstattung/REM_HS_Neu/Dummy_ISSY03.jpg)
Contact us
Ass.-Prof. Dr.rer.nat. BSc MSc Gerald Auer
Phone:+43 316 380 - 5581
Location:Institut für Erdwissenschaften
Web: https://homepage.uni-graz.at/de/gerald.auer/