Used Sputter Coating Target
by Science Photo Library
Title
Used Sputter Coating Target
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
False coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) image of the surface of a used gold-palladium alloy sputter-coating foil target. SEM samples that do not conduct electricity are frequently 'sputter coated' with several nanometers of metal such as gold, platinum, chromium, or alloys such as gold-palladium to improve image quality when viewed in the SEM. Foils of these metals are gradually 'sputtered' away by a process of ion bombardment during the sample coating process and eventually the foil target is eroded away completely in places (shown in shades of blue here). This discarded used foil takes on the appearance of a fantasy landscape when it is itself viewed under the SEM. Image width is 54.2 microns.
Uploaded
July 25th, 2016
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