Surface Analysis

A Raman microscope is an analytical instrument that combines Raman spectroscopy with microscopy to provide detailed chemical and structural information about a sample at the microscopic level. It utilizes a focused laser beam to excite the sample, causing inelastic scattering of light (Raman scattering), which is then collected and analyzed to generate a Raman spectrum that provides a unique chemical fingerprint of the sample, allowing for the identification and characterization of various materials, including polymers, pharmaceuticals, and biological samples, with high spatial resolution. Our system has access to a 532 nm point laser and a 785 nm line laser. We have 5x, 20x and 50x focal objectives.

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), also known as Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), is a surface-sensitive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition, chemical state, and electronic structure of a material's surface. It involves irradiating a sample with a beam of X-rays and measuring the kinetic energy and number of electrons that escape from the top 1 to 10 nm of the material, providing quantitative information about the surface chemistry and allowing for the identification of chemical bonding states and oxidation states of elements present on the sample surface.

The cost of using this instrument is $30/hour for internal BYU users, $90/hour for external users.