08 April 2025

LiU has expanded its materials research infrastructure with the installation of a cutting-edge Focused Ion Beam system (FIB). The new instrument replaces the now decommissioned Zeiss FIB. This state-of-the-art FIB/SEM instrument is named Thermo Scientific Helios 5 UC DualBeam and is dedicated to high-quality Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and to Atom probe Tomography (APT) sample preparation.

Picture of Focused Ion Beam system (FIB)
Focused Ion Beam system (FIB)

A Focused Ion Beam (FIB) system is a high-tech instrument used to precisely modify materials at the nanometer level.
The primary FIB application will be the preparation of ultra-thin slices of materials, which can subsequently be analyzed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
- FIB system functions like a microscopic Swiss Army knife for research, with the capability to cut, shape, image and analyze the tiniest details of materials, says Justinas Palisaitis, associate professor at the division of thin film physics at LiU.

Additionally, the FIB/SEM system facilitates cross-sectional imaging, surface patterning, failure analysis and more. New Focused Ion Beam (FIB) systems present a leap in precision, speed, efficiency, and automation, driven by the advancements in dual-beam technology and the new FIB at LiU is no exception, says Justinas Palisaitis.
- It far exceeds the capabilities of its predecessor.

This includes high current and well-focused ion beams, advanced detectors and imaging modes (STEM-in-SEM), automated workflows, range of gases for deposition (e.g., platinum, tungsten and carbon), rotating manipulator needle and more.
- The new FIB system will provide significant benefits by revolutionizing the process of TEM sample preparation. It will enable the creation of ultra-thin and high-quality samples with incredible speed and precision, ensuring that researchers can target specific regions of interest within a material with unparalleled accuracy, says Justinas.

This capability not only saves valuable time in the sample preparation process but also enhances the quality of subsequent analysis. By accelerating sample preparation workflows, the new FIB system will broaden the scope and depth of scientific discovery in materials research.
- User licenses will be given after training that will commence in the next few weeks, and will be open to all at LiU, says Justinas Palisaitas.

Apply for access and training through the LIMS system. Funding for the system was provided through AFM and WISE.


Contact

Latest news from LiU

Snus cessation led to increased body weight and blood pressure

Snus users who stopped using snus experienced higher blood pressure and gained weight. This has been shown by a research group at Linköping University in a study on 33 people.

A woman sitting in a couch.

Award winner with an interest in how people solve practical problems

Blood. Engineers. Housewives. The list of subjects Boel Berner, professor emerita at LiU, has taken an interest in is long and still growing. She is now awarded the Ingemar Ingemarsson interdisciplinarity prize.

Street in a city with cars.

Disturbance-free city during construction projects

Having a holistic approach to all construction projects in a city is the most important factor for minimising disturbance. But that is easier said than done. This is shown by researchers from LiU in a new book.