The basis for EMC is several well-equipped, high-quality analytical transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) as well as three skilled instrument managers. The flagship is the aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope Thermo Fisher Scientific™ Themis Z, with a number of sample holders delivered in Spring 2018 (see below), which was purchased with internal funds from MMK and Faculty of Science at Stockholm University. There are also very important standard TEMs with modern high-performance cameras and a number of sample holders of various kinds. At the EMC, there are also instruments for sample preparation.

This well-equipped EMC-lab was made possible by a generous donation from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) for a joint application from SU and KTH for more than 10 years ago (main applicant Osamu Terasaki). Further strengthening of the EM-based research was also possible thanks to the KAW-financed project 3DEM-NATUR (main applicant Xiaodong Zou). Because of the importance of the instruments, the three skilled application specialists Kjell Jansson, Anumol Ashok and Cheuk-Wai Tai, who also train the users of the facility, take care of the instruments and advice the users on methodologies for scientific research. Their employment is possible due to a strong support from MMK and the Faculty of Sciences at SU.

The success of the EMC during the years is reflected in the large number of users from different research groups and publications involving EM. It is also due to the EMC being recognised as a core facility at SU, thus receiving significant economic support from the Faculty of Science.

TEM

SEM

Instruments for sample preparation

• Plasma cleaner
• Ion-slicer     
• Cross-section polisher     
• Sputter coater
• Cryoplunge

• Ion milling