Scanning Electron Microscopy, Sem

Comprehensive SEM training from basics to advanced techniques, EDS, principles, components, and real-world operation

What you'll learn

Understand the basic principles of SEM, including resolution, magnification, depth of field, etc

Identify and explain components of the SEM system, including the electron guns, lenses, apertures, detectors, etc

Learn the function and impact of vacuum systems: rotary, turbo, ion getter pumps, and apertures

Understand how electrons interact with matter to produce secondary electrons (SE), backscattered electrons (BSE), X-rays, Auger electron, cathodoluminescen, etc

Explore various detectors and their applications: Everhart-Thornley, in-lens, BSE detectors, EDS, WDS, EBSD, etc

Perform and interpret EDS elemental analysis: point, line scan, and mapping

Learn sample preparation techniques, including gold coating and conductive layer application

Gain hands-on knowledge of how to operate an SEM step-by-step, from sample loading to image acquisition

Analyze and interpret real SEM images confidently

Discover how SEM parameters (e.g., working distance, aperture size, accelerating voltage) influence image quality

Develop the ability to troubleshoot imaging issues, such as astigmatism and charging effects

Requirements

You will learn everything you need to know

No prior SEM experience needed — this course covers everything from beginner to advanced

Description

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of the microscopic world?This comprehensive Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) training course is your step-by-step pathway to mastering the principles, components, and real-world operation of SEM, a vital instrument used in materials science, biology, nanotechnology, chemistry, and engineering. Whether you're a student eager to learn, a researcher preparing for a project, or a lab technician looking to enhance your skills, this course is designed to make SEM concepts accessible, practical, and even enjoyable.You’ll explore everything from basic SEM fundamentals, such as resolution, magnification, depth of field, and astigmatism, to advanced topics like electron gun types (thermionic, LaB₆, and field emission), vacuum systems (rotary, turbo, ion getter), and signal generation from electron-sample interactions (SE, BSE, X-rays, Auger electrons, and more). You'll also learn how to use different detectors (ETD, in-lens, EDS, WDS, EBSD, etc) and perform elemental analysis through point, line, and mapping techniques. Along the way, you’ll see detailed instrument walkthroughs, real lab examples, and 3D cartoon-style animations to help visualize every concept.In addition, the course teaches practical lab skills such as sample preparation, gold coating, charging prevention, and image troubleshooting. Even if you’ve never touched an SEM before, this course will give you the theoretical foundation and visual understanding needed to operate one with confidence. By the end, you’ll be able to produce and interpret high-quality SEM results, apply your knowledge to academic or industrial projects, and stand out as a skilled SEM user in your field.

Overview

Section 1: 1- Introduction

Lecture 1 Preface

Lecture 2 History

Lecture 3 Main concepts

Lecture 4 Magnification

Lecture 5 Resolution

Lecture 6 Depth of field

Lecture 7 Aberration

Lecture 8 Astigmatism

Lecture 9 SEM vs OM

Section 2: 2- SEM gun

Lecture 10 Thermionic triode electron gun

Lecture 11 LaB6 gun

Lecture 12 FEG

Lecture 13 Electromagnetic lenses

Section 3: 3- Vacuum system

Lecture 14 Vacuum system and rotary pump

Lecture 15 Turbo pump

Lecture 16 IGP

Lecture 17 Apertures

Section 4: 4- Electron interaction with samples

Lecture 18 Electron iteraction volume

Lecture 19 Secondary electrons

Lecture 20 BackScatter electrons

Lecture 21 SE vs BSE

Lecture 22 Contrast in SE mode

Lecture 23 Morphology and surface structure in BSE mode

Lecture 24 X-Ray. EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy)

Lecture 25 Bremsstrahlung

Lecture 26 Auger electrons

Lecture 27 Cathodoluminescence

Section 5: 5- Detectors

Lecture 28 ETD

Lecture 29 VPSE and TLD

Lecture 30 Robinson detector

Lecture 31 Solid state detector

Lecture 32 BSE TLD

Lecture 33 ECCI

Lecture 34 EBSD

Lecture 35 CL detector

Lecture 36 EDS detector

Lecture 37 WDS detector

Lecture 38 EELS

Lecture 39 The last part of theory_ fun

Section 6: 6- Practical section

Lecture 40 Point EDS

Lecture 41 Line EDS

Lecture 42 Map EDS

Lecture 43 UPS

Lecture 44 Gold coating

Lecture 45 Sample preparation

Lecture 46 Some devices

Lecture 47 FEI (ThermoFisher) QUANTA 450 SEM

Lecture 48 Wobbeling + Zeiss kyboard

Lecture 49 EDS_BRUKER XFlash

Lecture 50 Zeiss Gemini SEM500

Lecture 51 Particle size distribution with ImageJ

Lecture 52 Acknowledgment

Beginners to professional,University students (BSc, MSc, PhD) in Materials Science, Biology, Chemistry, Nanotech,Lab technicians and researchers using or planning to use SEM,Anyone preparing for a job or project involving electron microscopy