See the Structure with Microscopy - Know the Composition with Laser Spectroscopy

A large number of products and applications require materials analysis. Examples are found in the metal alloy, automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries, as well as the fields of metallurgy/metallography, earth science, and materials science [1]. Finding a balance between the need to ensure product quality or reliability of research results and the cost of analysis becomes a serious concern.

Much time and money is spent using multiple techniques, such as optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). They are used to visually inspect (microscopic image generation with high resolution and sharp contrast) a material and identify its local composition (qualitative chemical/elemental spectroscopic analysis). Methods like SEM/EDS require special sample preparation and transfer of the sample into vacuum, which is time consuming, for observation and analysis. In most cases, reliable data for a material’s local morphology and composition are vital for determining a further course of action for the specific application, especially if confident decisions must be made despite serious time and budget constraints.

A solution which offers precise, reliable visual and chemical analysis in one instrument, requires little or no sample preparation, and operates with the sample in ambient conditions would greatly increase workflow efficiency. Such a device would allow both time and cost savings when doing materials analysis.

An example of such a solution is described in this report, the DM6 M LIBS materials analysis system from Leica Microsystems (refer to figure 1). It combines optical microscopy (visual analysis) with laser induced breakdown spectroscopy or LIBS (chemical analysis). The basic operating principles and workflow advantages of a 2-in-1 solution are discussed.

In this report, the basic operating principles and advantages of a 2-in-1 materials analysis solution for an efficient analysis workflow were presented. A 2-in-1 solution achieves these benefits by the combination of optical microscopy and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for simultaneous visual and chemical inspection of materials.

Materials analysis is important for many types of product development, quality control, failure analysis, and technical applications and is used routinely in multiple industries and fields, like transportation, electronics, metallography/metallurgy, and materials science. Often the time and expense allocated for such analysis is limited, but obtaining reliable results and achieving the desired product quality always remains a priority.

An example of a 2-in-1 solution is the DM6 M LIBS materials analysis solution from Leica Microsystems. It offers accurate, rapid visual and chemical analysis in one instrument, eliminates sample preparation and transfer, and does not require the sample to be in vacuum. Either dry or wet samples in air can be analyzed. These advantages enable users to perform fast, precise, and economical materials analysis.