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FMH3924 Introduction to High-performance Scanning Electron Microscopy in Materials Science with Focus on Metallurgy 6.0 credits

The course aims at introducing primarily Ph.D. students in Materials Science and Engineering and related research areas to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The course further aims at providing an account of the state-of-the-art of SEM and its applications in materials science and specifically metallurgy.

Information per course offering

Course offerings are missing for current or upcoming semesters.

Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus FMH3924 (Spring 2022–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus FMH3924 (Spring 2022–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

Lectures will cover the following topics: the scanning electron microscope, interaction between electron beam and sample, diffraction, sample preparation, imaging in secondary electron and backscattered electron modes, chemical analysis using energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and wavelength-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (WDS), electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD), focused ion beam (FIB).

The students should select a topic that would be of interest to study using SEM, the topic could preferentially be from the student’s thesis work. The student should then make a literature survey as well as plan, conduct and analyze some SEM experiments. The work should be presented in a written report (like a scientific paper) and all the reports will be collected in a volume “current works in scanning electron microscopy for metallurgy and materials science”. Further, a seminar will be arranged with oral presentations from all students.

Intended learning outcomes

After the course the student should be able to:

  • Understand scientific literature in the field of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to further develop in SEM characterization by themselves
  • Perform basic SEM operation and data analysis
  • Explain the fundamentals of SEM and its applications in materials science with special emphasis on metallurgy
  • Account for an overview of the state-of-the-art in SEM

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

No information inserted

Literature

You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

P, F

Examination

  • LAB1 - Hands-on SEM work, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • PRO1 - Written and oral presentation, 4.0 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

LAB1 - At least 6 hours hands-on SEM work.

PRO1 – Written and oral presentation of the selected SEM topic, including peer-review of one written report to be included in the volume “current account of scanning electron microscopy in metallurgy and materials science”

Other requirements for final grade

Mandatory participation at lectures and demonstration. .

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

This course does not belong to any Main field of study.

Education cycle

Third cycle

Additional regulations

Replaces FMH3112

Postgraduate course

Postgraduate courses at ITM/Materials Science and Engineering