Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

This is our electron microscope. Hitachi made it. It is easy to use.

We encourage you to propose and run experiments and projects using the microscope. So far we have had students working on: bicycle part failure mechanisms; mammalian hair structure; fossilized lizards; iridescent ammonites; their own blood cells... what would you study? 

You can find answers to frequently asked questions here:  FAQs

You could try your hand at the technical aspects using this simulator:

http://bit.ly/SEMsim

Equally you might like to follow each of the following links in turn:

1. Chromatic Aberration

2. Interaction Volume

3. Backscattered Electrons

4. Resolution