Plasma Focused Ion Beam for Nanoscale Characterisation of Materials

This proposal aims to provide whole new capabilities in materials characterisation using xenon-plasma focused ion beam (FIB) instrumentation for research programs in functional materials, having applications in engineering, photovoltaics and environmental geosciences. These research fields all need to analyse materials on a nanometre scale. The plasma FIB will enable a whole new range of 3D imaging experiments and the preparation of new types of transmission electron microscopy samples. The plasma FIB will be located in a multi-user facility, enabling interdisciplinary research and collaboration at 8 universities across Australia including 5 in NSW, additionally researchers from other institutions, government and industry.