UMD Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory

CL: Gatan ChromaCL

The Gatan ChromaCL cathodoluminescence system is attached to the SEM and allows for the observation of visible light emitted from a sample when it is subjected to the electron beam of the SEM. This phenomenon is very sensitive to minor changes in chemistry of semiconducting materials such as minerals. By examining the visible light emitted from a sample it is possible to detect minute changes in chemical composition over very small distances in a sample, thereby revealing otherwise invisible internal structure.