We provide our silicon nitride membranes coated with exceptional high-quality mono-layer graphene. Chemical Vapour Deposition is used to grow a single layer of graphene on Copper foil which then is transferred onto a wide range of substrates. Silson’s expertise and capabilities allow us to transfer a high quality film following a very strict wet transfer process developed an...
Read MoreComprising an ultra-thin layer of crystalline 3C polytype silicon carbide (SiC) in a silicon frame, and available in a wide range of window sizes and membrane thicknesses. These membranes have superior transmission characteristics in the 1 to 3 nm and 10 to 20nm wavelength range, compared to traditional silicon nitride windows. Simulated transmission data is shown below (LBN...
Read MoreMono-crystalline (100) Silicon Membranes Thin silicon membranes are an excellent alternative to silicon nitride when the presence of nitrogen is detrimental to the application, and also offer higher transmission in the soft x-ray / extreme ultraviolet (EUV) region. The silicon used to form these membranes is conductive, which is advantageous for applications where a condu...
Read MoreSilicon nitride was widely adopted as the most popular material for x-ray microscopy because of its wide availability and simplicity of processing into free-standing membranes. Silicon nitride traditionally has a stoichiometry of Si3N4 and the intrinsic stress is circa 1 GPa. In 1982 Sekimoto et. al from NTT proposed a way to reduce the intrinsic stress by altering the rat...
Read MoreSilson standard silicon nitride membranes are available in both Si3N4 and SiRN with thickness ranging from 10 to 1000 nm, depending on the type of silicon nitride. Standard frame sizes vary from those compatible with TEM grid holders to 23.5 mm with a wide range of membrane sizes depending on the frame size. Silicon nitride membranes are sized at 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0....
Read MoreThin germanium membranes are an excellent alternative to silicon nitride when the presence of nitrogen is detrimental to the application. The germanium used to form these membranes is electrically conductive, which is advantageous for applications where a conductive sample support is required, for example to minimise charging effects in electron microscopy. Also, as a single...
Read MoreSilson manufacture a range of membrane windows specifically designed for TEM applications. The windows or grids have a 2.65 mm x 2.65 mm silicon frame with etched back corners to allow them to fit within a standard 3.05 mm holder for 3.0 mm diameter grids. Standard frame thickness is 200 µm but 100 µm frames are also available as an option. Silic...
Read MoreWhile most membranes supplied by Silson are used as simple sample supports for x-ray or electron beam imaging, in some applications they are used as vacuum windows or differential pressure windows, with a different pressure on either side of the membrane. In relation to this, we offer a mounting service at Silson by one of three methods: We can supply windows in...
Read MoreIn some cases it is useful to find or locate particles on our membranes in order to take measurements of them (for example with STXM). We have introduced our Finder Grids to allow for straight-forward measurement taking by locating particles relative to a 'position' on the grid. Here is an example of one of our finder grids, consisting of a 1.0 x 1.0 mm membrane within a...
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