rus
Carl Zeiss is a famous brand in the field of microscopy, analytical and measuring equipment. With the history of more than one century and a half the German company offers innovative solutions for the various sciences and industries including microscopes for nanoscale research facilities. In late April, the exclusive representative of Carl Zeiss in Russia and the CIS, the OPTEC company was one of the organisers of the international conference "State-of-the-art trends of scientific research of artificial and natural nanoobjects STRANN-2014" which was held in St. Petersburg. The conference was attended by Dr. Peter Gnauck, Senior Manager, Business Development of Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH. In an exclusive interview with our magazine Dr. Gnauck spoke about the trends in microscopy, the unique R&D results and advantages of Carl Zeiss devices.
Mr. Gnauck, which Carl Zeiss products are most in demand among laboratories for research and development in nanotechnology?
For the study of nanoscale objects necessary are the instruments with the appropriate resolution, therefore the scanning electron microscopes of the EVO, SIGMA and MERLIN series primarily in demand among laboratories and research centres. Scanning helium ion microscopes represent another interesting group of devices for the nanotechnology industry. In 2007 we introduced the helium ion microscope ZEISS ORION which allows you to get more information about the details and structure of objects. If a conventional scanning electron microscope has a resolution of about 1–2 nm, the scanning helium-ion microscope allows us to study objects with a resolution of 0.35 nm.
What industries use Carl Zeiss electron and helium ion microscopes, and what market areas do you think are the most promising?
First, our instruments are used in a variety of materials research, e.g. to visualise the structure of steels and alloys in metallurgy or for research the properties of semiconductor materials used in the electronic industry.
Secondly, an extensive range of electron and helium ion microscopy applications, the investigation of biological objects at the subcellular level. In particular, electron microscopes have been used successfully for the research of the brain tissue morphology. Another contrast technology is implemented in the helium ion microscopes, and they are particularly useful in the study of the surface structure of biological objects, such as cell membranes. As compared with the electron beams, helium ions less scattered at the sample surface, thus allowing better contrast and obtaining larger depth of field, and therefore more detailed results.
In the world on average about 60% of the electron and ion microscopes are implemented in academic institutions, and 40% in industry. If the share of industrial laboratories is somewhat higher in the field of materials research, microscopes for biological research are in more demand among laboratories of research and educational centres, colleges and universities.
As for the future, e.g. active graphene research provides preconditions for growth in the use of helium ion microscopy. This technology, on the one hand, allows the most accurate images of the surface of such materials, on the other hand, it allows surface nanostructuring. Another interesting trend is the creation or adjustment of nanostructures on the surface of materials for photonics. For example, helium ion microscopy can be used for a local change in the reflectivity of the elements to experiment with light accumulators and optical resonators.
What are the trends in the field of electron microscopy?
Researchers are increasingly interested in getting as much information about an object as possible, and in this context quite helpful are correlation techniques to easily combine different measurement technologies in one research, e.g. electronic, light and X-ray microscopy. In addition, the resolution requirements for devices are growing but to improve the latter it is necessary to address a number of problems, in particular the correction of aberrations. This is already possible in the transmission electron microscopy, and we are actively carrying out developments for scanning electron microscopes. Implementation of aberration correction allows performing the widest range of research with sub-nanometer resolutions.
What are the special characteristics of the correlative microscopy developed by Carl Zeiss?
Our company is unique in the world which produces light and electron/ion, and X-ray microscopes. The broad product portfolio is an important competitive advantage of Carl Zeiss because our customers have a full range of solutions compatible with each other from a single source and can combine devices of different types with a maximum efficiency. In particular, we have developed the correlative microscopy, which provides a combination of different methods of measuring the predetermined area of a sample. Technically, this is implemented using the Shuttle & Find system providing sample transfer between devices and automatic transfer of information about the coordinates of the measured area. Due to this, a researcher gets maximum information for the minimum time about the sample. It should be noted that this solution is modular and scalable, i.e. can be installed as a set of equipment with the Shuttle & Find option, and some existing devices can be upgraded; new microscopes can be connected to the system without problems as soon as they are installed in a laboratory.
The correlative microscopy is successfully used in practice in both materials science and biological research, including in Russia. In particular, the Shuttle & Find system is installed in Arkhangelsk in the common use center of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University, making it possible to combine the light and electron microscopy. By the way, with this equipment the centre staff perform the applied research, e.g. for the pulp and paper industry, which is highly developed in the region.
How important for Carl Zeiss was the acquisition in 2013 of US-based Xradia Inc.?
The acquisition of Xradia will complement our portfolio with X-ray microscopy solutions, which provide resolution from submicron to 50 nm, thus filling the niche between the light and electron microscopy possibilities. From the point of view of creating 3D images, X-ray microscopy also organically complements our range of laser scanning microscopes as well as scanning electron microscopes and ion beam microscopes.
What factors are considered when planning the development of new devices and technologies? Is there any cooperation in this field with research organisations?
The most important factor is the market prospects. We create new solutions for specific tasks focusing on user requests. The cooperation with scientific and educational institutions is mainly in the field of research methods. For example, a project on the development of the three-dimensional energy-dispersive spectroscopic analysis has been recently successfully implemented in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). The method is as follows. A gallium ion beam cuts a thin layer of material from the surface of the sample and by an electron beam and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy the local chemical composition is determined; then the process is repeated. Actually it is the chemical analysis with a resolution of the electron microscope, as a result of which a three-dimensional map of the chemical composition of the sample is generated. Every year we implement 3–4 similar projects with various R&D and educational institutions. When selecting areas of research we primarily proceed from their practical significance for our customers.
What problems are encountered in the implementation of equipment and how is the methodical support to the users of Carl Zeiss devices organised?
User training is mandatory in the case of equipment supply. Due to this devices are serviced by trained personnel thus allowing to minimise the number of problems. Methodological assistance is provided by a special department of our company. In general, support to users is one of the most important areas of our work, which involves experts from various departments of Carl Zeiss depending on the type of problems. We regularly arrange the seminars, workshops and other training activities for users, and help them to solve practical problems in various fields of research. In some cases, we take a direct part in research projects carried out by our customers. In Russia and CIS countries this work is performed by our exclusive distributors, experts and service engineers of the OPTEC company, and, if necessary, Carl Zeiss technicians will be involved.
How important is the Russian market for Carl Zeiss?
Russia is a very promising and growing market with a developing industry and high investments in science. Our electron microscopes alone account for more than 250 units installed in Russia. Large-scale projects were implemented in the St. Petersburg State University, Moscow State University, the scientific and educational institutions and common use centres in Vladivostok, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod and other cities of the country. Some centres, such as the Interdisciplinary Resource center for Nanotechnology in the Faculty of Physics of the St. Petersburg State University in Peterhof are one of the most modern not only in Russia but also at the European level. In particular, this centre has one of the world’s first ZEISS ORION helium ion microscope. I would like to highlight the success of the OPTEC in promoting and supporting our solutions in Russia and the CIS.
Thank you for the interesting interview.
The interview was taken by
D.Gudilin and O.Shahnovich
Mr. Gnauck, which Carl Zeiss products are most in demand among laboratories for research and development in nanotechnology?
For the study of nanoscale objects necessary are the instruments with the appropriate resolution, therefore the scanning electron microscopes of the EVO, SIGMA and MERLIN series primarily in demand among laboratories and research centres. Scanning helium ion microscopes represent another interesting group of devices for the nanotechnology industry. In 2007 we introduced the helium ion microscope ZEISS ORION which allows you to get more information about the details and structure of objects. If a conventional scanning electron microscope has a resolution of about 1–2 nm, the scanning helium-ion microscope allows us to study objects with a resolution of 0.35 nm.
What industries use Carl Zeiss electron and helium ion microscopes, and what market areas do you think are the most promising?
First, our instruments are used in a variety of materials research, e.g. to visualise the structure of steels and alloys in metallurgy or for research the properties of semiconductor materials used in the electronic industry.
Secondly, an extensive range of electron and helium ion microscopy applications, the investigation of biological objects at the subcellular level. In particular, electron microscopes have been used successfully for the research of the brain tissue morphology. Another contrast technology is implemented in the helium ion microscopes, and they are particularly useful in the study of the surface structure of biological objects, such as cell membranes. As compared with the electron beams, helium ions less scattered at the sample surface, thus allowing better contrast and obtaining larger depth of field, and therefore more detailed results.
In the world on average about 60% of the electron and ion microscopes are implemented in academic institutions, and 40% in industry. If the share of industrial laboratories is somewhat higher in the field of materials research, microscopes for biological research are in more demand among laboratories of research and educational centres, colleges and universities.
As for the future, e.g. active graphene research provides preconditions for growth in the use of helium ion microscopy. This technology, on the one hand, allows the most accurate images of the surface of such materials, on the other hand, it allows surface nanostructuring. Another interesting trend is the creation or adjustment of nanostructures on the surface of materials for photonics. For example, helium ion microscopy can be used for a local change in the reflectivity of the elements to experiment with light accumulators and optical resonators.
What are the trends in the field of electron microscopy?
Researchers are increasingly interested in getting as much information about an object as possible, and in this context quite helpful are correlation techniques to easily combine different measurement technologies in one research, e.g. electronic, light and X-ray microscopy. In addition, the resolution requirements for devices are growing but to improve the latter it is necessary to address a number of problems, in particular the correction of aberrations. This is already possible in the transmission electron microscopy, and we are actively carrying out developments for scanning electron microscopes. Implementation of aberration correction allows performing the widest range of research with sub-nanometer resolutions.
What are the special characteristics of the correlative microscopy developed by Carl Zeiss?
Our company is unique in the world which produces light and electron/ion, and X-ray microscopes. The broad product portfolio is an important competitive advantage of Carl Zeiss because our customers have a full range of solutions compatible with each other from a single source and can combine devices of different types with a maximum efficiency. In particular, we have developed the correlative microscopy, which provides a combination of different methods of measuring the predetermined area of a sample. Technically, this is implemented using the Shuttle & Find system providing sample transfer between devices and automatic transfer of information about the coordinates of the measured area. Due to this, a researcher gets maximum information for the minimum time about the sample. It should be noted that this solution is modular and scalable, i.e. can be installed as a set of equipment with the Shuttle & Find option, and some existing devices can be upgraded; new microscopes can be connected to the system without problems as soon as they are installed in a laboratory.
The correlative microscopy is successfully used in practice in both materials science and biological research, including in Russia. In particular, the Shuttle & Find system is installed in Arkhangelsk in the common use center of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University, making it possible to combine the light and electron microscopy. By the way, with this equipment the centre staff perform the applied research, e.g. for the pulp and paper industry, which is highly developed in the region.
How important for Carl Zeiss was the acquisition in 2013 of US-based Xradia Inc.?
The acquisition of Xradia will complement our portfolio with X-ray microscopy solutions, which provide resolution from submicron to 50 nm, thus filling the niche between the light and electron microscopy possibilities. From the point of view of creating 3D images, X-ray microscopy also organically complements our range of laser scanning microscopes as well as scanning electron microscopes and ion beam microscopes.
What factors are considered when planning the development of new devices and technologies? Is there any cooperation in this field with research organisations?
The most important factor is the market prospects. We create new solutions for specific tasks focusing on user requests. The cooperation with scientific and educational institutions is mainly in the field of research methods. For example, a project on the development of the three-dimensional energy-dispersive spectroscopic analysis has been recently successfully implemented in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). The method is as follows. A gallium ion beam cuts a thin layer of material from the surface of the sample and by an electron beam and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy the local chemical composition is determined; then the process is repeated. Actually it is the chemical analysis with a resolution of the electron microscope, as a result of which a three-dimensional map of the chemical composition of the sample is generated. Every year we implement 3–4 similar projects with various R&D and educational institutions. When selecting areas of research we primarily proceed from their practical significance for our customers.
What problems are encountered in the implementation of equipment and how is the methodical support to the users of Carl Zeiss devices organised?
User training is mandatory in the case of equipment supply. Due to this devices are serviced by trained personnel thus allowing to minimise the number of problems. Methodological assistance is provided by a special department of our company. In general, support to users is one of the most important areas of our work, which involves experts from various departments of Carl Zeiss depending on the type of problems. We regularly arrange the seminars, workshops and other training activities for users, and help them to solve practical problems in various fields of research. In some cases, we take a direct part in research projects carried out by our customers. In Russia and CIS countries this work is performed by our exclusive distributors, experts and service engineers of the OPTEC company, and, if necessary, Carl Zeiss technicians will be involved.
How important is the Russian market for Carl Zeiss?
Russia is a very promising and growing market with a developing industry and high investments in science. Our electron microscopes alone account for more than 250 units installed in Russia. Large-scale projects were implemented in the St. Petersburg State University, Moscow State University, the scientific and educational institutions and common use centres in Vladivostok, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod and other cities of the country. Some centres, such as the Interdisciplinary Resource center for Nanotechnology in the Faculty of Physics of the St. Petersburg State University in Peterhof are one of the most modern not only in Russia but also at the European level. In particular, this centre has one of the world’s first ZEISS ORION helium ion microscope. I would like to highlight the success of the OPTEC in promoting and supporting our solutions in Russia and the CIS.
Thank you for the interesting interview.
The interview was taken by
D.Gudilin and O.Shahnovich
Readers feedback
