PFIB SEM with the Helios 5 Hydra DualBeam
The Thermo Scientific Helios 5 Hydra DualBeam (plasma focused ion beam scanning electron microscope, PFIB-SEM) is a versatile multi-application tool that has four different ion species (argon, nitrogen, oxygen, and xenon), allowing you to choose the ions that provide the best results for samples including metals,batteries, fiber composites, and biological tissues. Great results start with sample preparation whether you are performing scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation, 3D materials characterization, or cellular cryo-tomography.
You can switch easily between argon, nitrogen, oxygen, and xenon in under ten minutes without sacrifcing performance. This unprecedented flexibility significantly expands the potential application space of PFIB and enables research of ion-sample interactions to optimize existing use cases.
The Helios 5 Hydra DualBeam combines the new, innovative multi-ion-species plasma FIB (PFIB) column with the monochromated Thermo Scientific Elstar UC+ SEM Column to provide advanced focused ion- and electron-beam performance. Intuitive software and an unprecedented level of automation and ease-of-use allow observation and analysis of relevant subsurface volumes.
3D reconstruction of mouse brain tissue embedded in LR White (acrylic-based) resin acquired with an O+ ion beam and Auto Slice and View Software.
3D reconstruction of an automotive oil filter casing (polymer/glass fiber composite) acquired with an O+ ion beam and Auto Slice and View Software.
Multiple plasma ion species
Allows multi-application labs to quickly switch between four ion species (Xe, Ar, O, and N) to optimize for samples ranging from silicon and metals to cells
Ga+ Free TEM
Facilitates fast and easy preparation of high-quality samples, including Ga+ free TEM, atom probe tomography, and resin-embedded samples
3D tomography
Performs high-resolution, large volume, 3D tomography and combines multi-modal subsurface 3D information (SEM, EDS, EBSD)
Cryogenic conditions
Delivers high-resolution SEM images with high contrast even at cryogenic conditions for biological samples
Precise milling control
Provides precise control of your milling experiments with time-saving automated software and workflow-based solutions
Multiple ion options for optimized PFIB results
The Helios 5 Hydra DualBeam is an all-in-one instrument with a unique multiple ion species PFIB column with four ion species (Xe, Ar, O, N) to be used as a primary beam with a patented, automated, fast, and easy switching capability (<10 minutes). The Helios 5 Hydra PFIB is Ga-ion free, which is vital for sensitive samples such as aluminum-containing materials. The multiple ion options do not require complex accessories to improve cut face quality (e.g., milling curtain mitigation).
Fast milling for large volume multi-modal 3D tomography
Subsurface or three-dimensional characterization is often required to better understand material properties. In many cases, large volumes inaccessible by conventional Ga+ FIB instruments are necessary to obtain representative and relevant results. The excellent high-current performance of the Helios 5 Hydra PFIB with optional Thermo Scientific Auto Slice & View Software empowers the fully automated acquisition of large volume 3D datasets in a multitude of modalities. This includes backscattered electron (BSE) imaging for maximum materials contrast, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for compositional information, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) for crystallographic information.
3D imaging at cryogenic temperatures
The Helios 5 Hydra DualBeam can be equipped with an optional cryo-stage that can be used for dedicated cryo-lamellae preparation with AutoTEM Cryo or cryo-volume imaging with Auto Slice & View Software. With the Elstar SEM Column, excellent contrast is achievable to uncover sub-cellular details on high pressure frozen and plunge frozen samples. No staining is required.
Lamellae preparation with AutoTEM Software
High-quality sample preparation is critical for successful high-resolution material analysis with STEM or TEM. It is also considered to be one of the most challenging and time-consuming tasks in materials characterization labs. Conventional methods used to prepare ultra-thin samples required for S/TEM are slow and can require many hours, or even days, of effort by highly trained personnel. This is further complicated by the variety of materials and the need for site-specific information. Plasma FIB, coupled with optional AutoTEM Software, resolves many of these challenges.
Serial section electron microscopy with Auto Slice & View Software
Combined with optional Auto Slice & View Software, the Helios Hydra DualBeam offers high throughput and fully automated 3D data collection, even at cryogenic temperatures. This automates collection of contextual volume imaging.
PFIB spin mill for large planar milling and imaging
The optional Spin Mill method on the Helios 5 Hydra DualBeam provides large-area planar milling up to 1 mm in diameter and the ability to image large areas in a horizontal plane for surface polishing or 3D characterization. The Spin Mill process is fully automated and easy to set up using Auto Slice & View Software. Multiple areas for image acquisition within one Spin Mill experiment can be selected. Each area of interest can be imaged at different imaging settings based on the specificity of the experiment. Learn more about Spin Mill large planar imaging of resin-embedded CHO cells.
Fluorescence light microscope correlative system (iFLM)
The optional iFLM Correlative System is an integrated light microscope for cryo-correlative imaging inside the Helios 5 Hydra PFIB high-vacuum chamber allowing you to combine fluorescence imaging and ion milling within a single cryo-DualBeam microscope.
Related FIB SEM DualBeam systems and resources
3D reconstruction of a mouse brain tissue acquired with a Helios Hydra UX DualBeam using O+ focused ion beam. Sample preparation: Conventional cemical fixation. Epon resin. 721 slices (thickness ~ 4 nm). HFW 16.4 µm (xy resolution 5x4 nm). Acquisition time ~ 17 h.
3D reconstruction of Caenorhabditis elegans L1 with a Helios Hydra CX DualBeam using O+ focused ion beam. Sample preparation: high pressure frozen and freeze substituted and HM20 embedded. Tomogram of a 30 × 30 × 15 µm (resolution ~10 x ×10 x ×15 nm). Acquisition time ~ 16 h. Courtesy Dr. Alex DeMarco, Monash University, Australia.
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/457820v1.full.pdf
Publications
3D reconstruction of a mouse brain tissue acquired with a Helios Hydra UX DualBeam using O+ focused ion beam. Sample preparation: Conventional cemical fixation. Epon resin. 721 slices (thickness ~ 4 nm). HFW 16.4 µm (xy resolution 5x4 nm). Acquisition time ~ 17 h.
3D reconstruction of Caenorhabditis elegans L1 with a Helios Hydra CX DualBeam using O+ focused ion beam. Sample preparation: high pressure frozen and freeze substituted and HM20 embedded. Tomogram of a 30 × 30 × 15 µm (resolution ~10 x ×10 x ×15 nm). Acquisition time ~ 16 h. Courtesy Dr. Alex DeMarco, Monash University, Australia.
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/457820v1.full.pdf
Publications
Process control using electron microscopy
Modern industry demands high throughput with superior quality, a balance that is maintained through robust process control. SEM and TEM tools with dedicated automation software provide rapid, multi-scale information for process monitoring and improvement.
Quality control and failure analysis
Quality control and assurance are essential in modern industry. We offer a range of EM and spectroscopy tools for multi-scale and multi-modal analysis of defects, allowing you to make reliable and informed decisions for process control and improvement.
Fundamental Materials Research
Novel materials are investigated at increasingly smaller scales for maximum control of their physical and chemical properties. Electron microscopy provides researchers with key insight into a wide variety of material characteristics at the micro- to nano-scale.
Cryo-Tomography
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) delivers both structural information about individual proteins as well as their spatial arrangements within the cell. This makes it a truly unique technique and also explains why the method has such an enormous potential for cell biology. Cryo-ET can bridge the gap between light microscopy and near-atomic-resolution techniques like single-particle analysis.
3D Materials Characterization
Development of materials often requires multi-scale 3D characterization. DualBeam instruments enable serial sectioning of large volumes and subsequent SEM imaging at nanometer scale, which can be processed into high-quality 3D reconstructions of the sample.
(S)TEM Sample Preparation
DualBeam microscopes enable the preparation of high-quality, ultra-thin samples for (S)TEM analysis. Thanks to advanced automation, users with any experience level can obtain expert-level results for a wide range of materials.
APT Sample Preparation
Atom probe tomography (APT) provides atomic-resolution 3D compositional analysis of materials. Focused ion beam (FIB) microscopy is an essential technique for high-quality, orientation, and site-specific sample preparation for APT characterization.
Cross-sectioning
Cross sectioning provides extra insight by revealing sub-surface information. DualBeam instruments feature superior focused ion beam columns for high-quality cross sectioning. With automation, unattended high-throughput processing of samples is possible.
In Situ experimentation
Direct, real-time observation of microstructural changes with electron microscopy is necessary to understand the underlying principles of dynamic processes such as recrystallization, grain growth, and phase transformation during heating, cooling, and wetting.
Multi-scale analysis
Novel materials must be analyzed at ever higher resolution while retaining the larger context of the sample. Multi-scale analysis allows for the correlation of various imaging tools and modalities such as X-ray microCT, DualBeam, Laser PFIB, SEM and TEM.
Cryo-Tomography
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) delivers both structural information about individual proteins as well as their spatial arrangements within the cell. This makes it a truly unique technique and also explains why the method has such an enormous potential for cell biology. Cryo-ET can bridge the gap between light microscopy and near-atomic-resolution techniques like single-particle analysis.
3D Materials Characterization
Development of materials often requires multi-scale 3D characterization. DualBeam instruments enable serial sectioning of large volumes and subsequent SEM imaging at nanometer scale, which can be processed into high-quality 3D reconstructions of the sample.
(S)TEM Sample Preparation
DualBeam microscopes enable the preparation of high-quality, ultra-thin samples for (S)TEM analysis. Thanks to advanced automation, users with any experience level can obtain expert-level results for a wide range of materials.
APT Sample Preparation
Atom probe tomography (APT) provides atomic-resolution 3D compositional analysis of materials. Focused ion beam (FIB) microscopy is an essential technique for high-quality, orientation, and site-specific sample preparation for APT characterization.
Cross-sectioning
Cross sectioning provides extra insight by revealing sub-surface information. DualBeam instruments feature superior focused ion beam columns for high-quality cross sectioning. With automation, unattended high-throughput processing of samples is possible.
In Situ experimentation
Direct, real-time observation of microstructural changes with electron microscopy is necessary to understand the underlying principles of dynamic processes such as recrystallization, grain growth, and phase transformation during heating, cooling, and wetting.
Multi-scale analysis
Novel materials must be analyzed at ever higher resolution while retaining the larger context of the sample. Multi-scale analysis allows for the correlation of various imaging tools and modalities such as X-ray microCT, DualBeam, Laser PFIB, SEM and TEM.
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