Benefits
- Delivers fully integrated EDS, EBSD, and WDS modes
- Easy-to-use software interface for integrated systems
- Enables simultaneous EDS-EBSD and EDS-WDS data acquisition
- Provides advanced quantification algorithm for EDS-WDS studies
- Streamlines batch collection for combined EDS-WDS data
- Fully automates WDS data collection
WDS functionalities are implemented seamlessly with the EDS graphical user interface. Users can quickly adapt to the new functionalities and employ WDS when and where EDS reaches the limit. WDS spectrum, linescan, or map data is simultaneously collected with EDS data. WDS and EDS spectra can be displayed side-by-side or overlaid for easy data visualization and interpretation (Figure 1). Linescan or map view windows can display WDS and EDS data together or separately (Figure 2) without overlapping or overloading windows.
Figure1. Simultaneous EDS-WDS spectrum collection.
Figure 2. Simultaneous EDS-WDS mapping.
APEX 3.0 maximizes ease of use with automatic features and full access and control of advanced-level user settings. With one click from start to finish, Auto WDS allows fully automated WDS scan list generation, spectrometer setup, optimum sample height determination, and spectrum collection. The Auto Z routine automatically and accurately positions the scanning electron microscope (SEM) stage at the optic focal plane and guarantees the highest intensity levels (Figure 3). The ratemeter option allows advanced users to adjust the SEM stage height manually.
Figure 3. WDS Auto Z with ratemeter option.
Sets of combined EDS-WDS spectrum, linescan, and mapping data at different stage positions can be done via automated batch collection routines to streamline SEM experiments. EDS and WDS data collection settings are managed in one user-friendly batch scan list (Figure 4).
The advanced EDS-WDS quantification algorithm supports both individual techniques or combined EDS-WDS standards. A quant table with per-element options allows users to easily switch between EDS and WDS standards for each element by clicking on the icon in front of the element (Figure 5).
Figure 4. Combined EDS-WDS batch list.
WDS results are organized and communicated efficiently with APEX Reporting in standard Microsoft Office Suite documents and Adobe PDF formats. Quick Reports allows you to tailor report content and layout to specific analytical needs. Customizable analysis templates are available for advanced and interactive reports.
The main addition on the EBSD side is the support of Velocity™ Ultra, now the fastest EBSD camera in the world, offering high-speed EBSD mapping with the highest indexing performance on real-world materials.
For simultaneous EDS-EBSD or EDS-WDS data acquisition, you don’t need to compromise one technique or the other. APEX 3.0 allows you to set an intermediate position for the EDS detector to ensure optimal count rates or speeds for integrated systems (Figure 6).
Figure 5. Quantitative results with combined EDS-WDS standards.
With the addition of WDS capabilities, APEX 3.0 now includes EDS, EBSD, and WDS. Each characterization tool can operate independently to utilize EDAX’s technological advancements, or integrated data can be collected to provide solutions that were once unachievable.
- Neptune (EDS-WDS)
- Pegasus (EDS-EBSD)
- Trident (EDS-EBSD-WDS)
Figure 6. EDS slide advanced control.