Procedure and results

ESEM

The environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) is used to test the specimen smaller than the nano scale properties. ESEM has two detectors that each gives a image for the specimen, the image quality is depending on the number electron scattered or back scattered detected by each detector. ESEM is supported by software package that device the monitor's screen into 4 small screens, two screens show the image of each detector and a third one shows the combination of both of the detectors' images, the last screen is showing a safety camera image which helps to avoid any direct contact between the sample and detectors the sample feeding process.

ESEM is supported by other software and hardware packages. A software package shows the chemical structure for the tested sample, the package shows on a screen the elements distribution in the sample, their percentages, and histograms that is supported with different statistical tools for advanced reports. ESEM has big variety of holders that are made from aluminium fit the samples shape and height as there are used for testing.

Specifically, in the case of applying ED7100 resistive paste on FR4 cards, ESEM helped in measuring the paste thickness of samples that are prepared using different procedures and providing images about the surface after applying and curing