Mosaic Field of View (MFV) SEM imaging is a technique that bridges the resolution gap between XRM MicroCT (mm-cm studied sample size) and FIB-SEM (10-50 micron studied sample size). Also known as Maps (Thermo Fisher) and Atlas (Zeiss), MFV-SEM delivers a “google earth” visualization to the microstructures of your sample. The MFV-SEM method uses optionally an argon milling beam to polish a smooth surface (external or cleaved cross-section), visualizing microporosity, fractures, particles, and phase interfaces at both nanometer resolution and millimeter to centimeter field of view.
Mosaic Field of View SEM imaging is a powerful technique bridging XRM and FIB-SEM to ensure sample representativeness at the right resolution.
In the video above, we show a MFV-SEM image collected on a sandstone sample after argon mill polishing. A total of 35,000 by 27,000 pixels was stitched from a few hundred SEM tiles at a 100 nm resolution. Within DigiM I2S software, the supervised machine learning module segmented the large image into different phases to quantify porosity and mineral grains.
Benefits and Challenges
Advantages
Large field of view of millimeter to centimeter and nanometer in resolution
Argon mill to prepare an artifact-free surface
EDS chemical characterization can be used in conjunction
Bridging technology between XRM and FIB-SEM
Full support of online visualization, AI segmentation, quantification, sharing, and storage through I2S software
Limitations
2D technique
Large dataset (for example: 25,000 x 25,000 pixels) that cannot be easily viewed without cloud computing
Destructive technique that requires vacuum during imaging; thus, limiting samples to solids