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Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)

Elemental Map from a cell phone chip

Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) is a standard procedure for identifying and quantifying elemental composition of sample areas of a micron or less. The characteristic X-rays are produced when a material is bombarded with electrons in an electron beam instrument, such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Detection of these x-rays can be accomplished by an energy dispersive spectrometer, which is a solid state device that discriminates among X-ray energies.

Technique Advantages

  • Rapid elemental analysis of small features
  • Two-dimensional elemental mapping
  • Semi-quantitative analysis with standards
  • High count rates at low kV and beam current

Typical Applications

  • Elemental identification of material

Sample Requirements

  • Any vacuum compatible solid (thin films, powders, fibers, bulk materials)
  • Highly polished mirror surface (preferred)