CAMECA launches new dynamic SIMS instrument: IMS 7f-Auto for high throughput, fully automated microanalysis
14 May 2012: CAMECA has unveiled the latest model of its successful IMS 7f Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer, the IMS 7f-Auto, designed to deliver ultimate precision elemental and isotopic analyses with increased ease-of-use and productivity. More details are available in the press release: pdf (50kB). Full product information will soon be available on this site.
Two NATURE papers demonstrate successful use of Multi-Isotope Imaging Mass Spectrometry for studying living organisms
Pr Lechêne et al. published two articles in the same NATURE issue of 26 Jan. 2012. They designed experiments involving labeling living tissues with stable isotopes on two main topics:
- testing the immortal-strand hypothesis which predicts that during asymmetric stem cell division chromosomes containing older template DNA are segregated to the daughter destined to remain a stem cell, thus insuring lifetime genetic stability;
- revealing that a rapid protein turnover is occuring in hair-cell stereocilia only at the tips and not by a treadmilling process.
Click here for an animated 3D view of the protein turnover.
In both studies the unique capabilities of the CAMECA NanoSIMS ion microprobe were necessary: high spatial resolution together with high mass resolution and high transmission.
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute selects CAMECA IMS 7f
Established in 1959, KAERI is now a global leader in nuclear energy research and development. Dr Kyuseok Song and his team selected our SIMS instrument for its excellent precision in small particle analyses. The IMS 7f will be installed in Daejeon, within the Nuclear Chemistry Research Division, and further equipped with APM (Automated Particle Measurement Software).
IGGCAS Beijing to be equipped with IMS 1280-HR
A CAMECA IMS 1280-HR will soon be installed at IGGCAS (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences). The instrument will complement the IMS 1280 and the NanoSIMS 50L already under operation in the IGGCAS labs respectively directed by Prof. Xian-hua Li (see web page of the lab, in Chinese) and Prof. Yangting Lin (see web page of the lab, in Chinese).
Probing into the material, structure, and state of the continental lithosphere of China and adjacent areas, IGGCAS Beijing has made innovative contributions to the theory of the solid Earth system. Professor ZHU Rixiang, Director of IGGCAS, was recently elected AGU Fellow for his exceptional scientific contributions. More information.
3D Microstructure Meeting & Inauguration of the APT lab in Saarbrücken, Germany
2-4 November 2011: the 3D Microstructure Meeting hosted by Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany will end with the offical inauguration of the new Atom Probe lab. CAMECA's LEAP Atom Probe installed within the Department of Material Science and Engineering is mainly utilized by Prof. Dr. Ing. Frank Mücklich's research group that focuses on the 3D analysis of materials microstructures in the micro, nano and atomic scale as well as on on high performing surfaces by microstructure design, surface structuring and functionalization using advanced laser patterning.
More on the 3D Microstructure Meeting at this link.
University of Lausanne selects CAMECA's IMS 1280-HR
July 2011: we have just received a new order from University of Lausanne, Switzerland, for the latest model of our ultra high sensitivity ion microprobe. The instrument will be installed at the Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry under leadership of Prof. Lukas Baumgartner. Current research projects include interpreting ages in metamorphic rocks, fluid-rock interactions and mineral growth in contact aureoles, partial melting, and much more. The IMS 1280-HR was chosen for its benchmark reproducibility for stable isotope analyses and its superior capabilities for in-situ geochronology.
Utrecht University orders a NanoSIMS 50L
The national facility for high-resolution in situ isotope and element analysis of natural materials at Utrecht University in The Netherlands has purchased a NanoSIMS 50L. Jack Middelburg and Gert-Jan Reichart, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, point out that the instrument will be used primarily for biogeochemistry and microbial ecology, paleo-environmental and climate reconstructions as well as planetary and solid earth science studies, nevertheless, the lab remains open to all types of applications from academia or industry.
CAMECA launches new Field Emission Electron Probe Microanalyzer
16 May 2011: CAMECA has unveiled the latest addition to its line of high-end microanalytical instrumentation — the SXFiveFE, a Field Emission Electron Probre Microanalyzer (FE-EPMA). The on-going live demo on the CAMECA booth at EMAS Conference in Angers, France attracted great attention from all attendees!
The SXFiveFE is CAMECA’s fifth generation Eletron Probe Microanalyzer, it integrates mature technologies from CAMECA’s SIMS and other EPMA product lines, with the latest developments in general purpose EPMA including a Field Emission source. Read the press release!
For more details on the SXFiveFE, you may also download a 2-page flyer > pdf (867kB), and of course contact our sales team.
Full product information will soon be available on this site!
MRS Innovations in Materials Characterization Award
28th April 2011: Tye T. Gribb of DTE Research and Development, and Thomas F. Kelly and David J. Larson of CAMECA Instruments, Inc. received the MRS Innovations in Materials Characterization Award for their joint work on the Local Electrode Atom Probe Tomograph. This award honors an outstanding advance in materials characterization that notably increases knowledge of the structure, composition, in situ behavior behavior under outside stimulus, electronic behavior, or other characterization feature, of materials... Read more.
CAMECA unveils new semiconductor tool for B:SiGe and HKMG
26 January 2011: CAMECA has announced the latest addition to its line of high-end metrology systems—the EX-300 metrology tool targeted for front-end process control of 22 nm technology nodes and beyond. This highly versatile system benefits from CAMECA’s 10-years of experience with LEXES technology. We optimized the performance of the EX-300 for challenging HKMG, epitaxial layers such as B:SiGe and shallow implants, fulfilling requirements of both rapid device development and high-yield mass production. In addition, the tool is designed to deliver enhanced long-term stability and minimize MTTR. Read the full press release.
IMS 7f to support R&D of fuel-cells at Tohoku University, Japan
December 2010: Tohoku University just ordered a CAMECA IMS 7f. Founded in 1907 as the third Imperial University of Japan, Tohoku University has become a world leading research center in materials science. Several labs at Tohoku University are involved in the development and testing of new fuel-cell and ion-lithium systems, they selected the IMS 7f for its superior performances and extreme sensitivity in the characterization of nanoscale chemical reactions on the battery electrodes.
SX 100 to further equip Department of Atomic Energy, India
December 2010: AMD, the Atomic Minerals Division of the Department of Atomic Energy located in Hyderabad, India, ordered a new SX 100 EPMA to replace its old SX 50 model. Led by Dr Rajgoplan, AMD has a long experience in analyzing geological, but also metallurgical and synthetic solid materials with EPMA.
Reconsidering the constituents of life
December 2010: An exciting discovery was recently published in a SCIENCE article (Dec. 2, 2010 issue). In addition to the six standard major elements composing all known life (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus) a bacterium from a Californian lake was discovered to be capable of using arsenic to build its macromolecules and grow. The discovery published by Felisa Wolfe-Simon of NASA/USGS includes NanoSIMS analyses made at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory by Jennifer Pett-Ridge and Peter Weber, co-authors of the paper. If confirmed the new findings could alter the way we describe life and may have profound evolutionary and geochemical significance.
Automated Particle Measurement with SIMS
November 2010: a new technical note presents the APM software for CAMECA SIMS models IMS 1280, IMS 7f/6f-PC and NanoSIMS 50/50L. SIMS screening with ion imaging using APM is the only method that can determine location and isotopic composition of sub-micron sized particles within a matrix of complex composition. Main applications are in nuclear safeguards & forensics, environmental studies, cosmochemistry, as well as cell & microbiology. You may request a pdf version of the new technical note.
NanoSIMS 50L to advance research in marine microbiology
November 2010: The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research in Warnemünde, Germany, has ordered a NanoSIMS 50L in cooperation with the University of Rostock. Funding was provided by the German Ministry of Education and Research. The NanoSIMS will be used in many areas of marine biology, geology, chemistry and related topics. Main application will be the exploration of microbial induced substance flows in the marine environment.
This recent order demonstrates the strong market position of the CAMECA NanoSIMS in the field of environmental microbiology. High lateral resolution combined with ultra high sensitivity and precise parallel detection of isotopes allow the efficient work with elemental markers.
Toshiba NanoAnalysis selects CAMECA SC Ultra
September 2010: Toshiba NanoAnalysis (TNA) is a leading Japanese analytical service company with main focus on semicondcutor R&D. TNA selected the CAMECA SC Ultra instrument for its unique EXLIE SIMS analysis capabilities, making it the tool of choice for advanced transistor structure characterization.
Atom Probe Tomography at IMC17, Rio, Brazil
21 September 2010: Chaired by Thomas Kelly, head of CAMECA's LEAP technology center and Didier Blavette, GPM Rouen leader, the APT session at the 17th International Microscopy Congress will showcase the most recent applications of APT in physical metallurgy, micro- and nanoelectronics, and explore synergies with TEM. CAMECA is also associated with the presentation by M.K. Miller (ORNL, USA) The Atomscope Concept - A New Branch of Microscopy.
CAMECA IMS 1280 to equip Russian nuclear safeguards laboratory
August 2010: The Laboratory for Microparticle Analysis, Moscow, Russia, ordered CAMECA's ultra-high sensitivity ion microprobe IMS 1280, confirming our leadership in nuclear forensics. The instrument will be equipped with the latest version of APM, CAMECA's software for Automatic Particle Measurement.
The Laboratory for Microparticle Analysis is located within the Institute for Theoretical & Experimental Physics (ITEP), one of Russia's most prestigious research institute and a world leading center for nuclear science.
School on Atom Probe Tomography, Rouen, France
Dr Dave Larson, CAMECA Instruments Inc. is the invited speaker of the 2nd School on Atom Probe Tomography organized by Rouen's Groupe de Physique des Matériaux, October 25-29, 2010. The course will include theoretical lectures on the principles of APT and practical sessions on specimen preparation, data processing etc...
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CAMECA announces the appointment of Jean-Charles Chen as VP Sales and Services
12 July 2010: We are pleased to announce that Jean-Charles Chen will take over worldwide Sales and Services activities for all CAMECA product lines. Previous to his joining of AMETEK as VP Sales and Services of CAMECA, Jean-Charles Chen has been serving for four years as International Sales and Marketing Director at Thales Electron Devices, a subsidiary of the Thales Group. Mr Chen started his career in 1985 at Hewlett Packard France, and then joined the Thales Group in the late 80's to successively hold several positions in the Sales and Marketing organisation of the Group for different Business Units (Components, Air Traffic Control Systems, Services) including over 10 years of posting in Asia and more recently in the USA as acting CEO of the subsidiary of Thales in New Jersey. Mr. Chen is an engineering graduate from ENI in Brest. He completed his study at the IAE, a school of business management in Paris, France and later at the IFG a school in Business Strategy also in Paris.
CAMECA Silver Sponsor of IFES 2010, Sydney Australia, 5-8 July 2010
Special thanks to the 150 delegates who attended the CAMECA Update & Welcome Drink Reception on Monday 5 July, at the 52nd International Field Emission Symposium in Sydney, Australia. Several CAMECA Atom Probe specialists made the trip to Sydney and gave numerous talks all throughout the symposium, among which an invited talk by Ty Prosa in the "Frontier Materials" session: "Evaluation of various organic materials for atom probe analysis". Other presentations included "Effect of analysis direction on the measurement for interfacial mixing on thin metal layers" by David Larson, "New concept of APT mass analyzer" by Ludovic Renaud, etc... Don't hesitate to contact us for details of these presentations. You may also visit the official IFES 2010 web site.
AMETEK, Inc. acquires Imago Scientific Instruments
8 April 2010: AMETEK, Inc. has acquired Imago Scientific Instruments, a privately held manufacturer of 3D Atom Probes, based in Madison, WI, USA, significantly broadening its technical capabilities in differentiated, high-end analytical instrumentation. Imago joins CAMECA as part of AMETEK’s Materials Analysis Division. Imago's operations in Madison will become part of the CAMECA Business Unit, and Dr Tom Kelly, founder of Imago, will continue to lead his team in the further development of this exciting technology for nanoscale elemental analysis. Imago’s LEAP models of Atom Probe will become part of CAMECA's product line along side the latest generation of LA-WATAP from CAMECA.
> View press release