Planotec GSR & Particle Analysis Calibration Kit

SPS Test Specimen with Synthetic GSR Particles

This Synthetic Particle Specimen (SPS) has been specifically designed for the adjustment and validation of analytical SEM/EDX systems used for automated analysis of GSR samples. It is especially useful for quick system validation checks and quality assurance procedures.

The SPS-TM-A test specimen is manufactured on a glassy carbon substrate with a size of 8 x 8mm with various sizes of synthetic particles containing Pb, Sb and Ba. The synthetic GSR particles with a size varying from 0.5 to 2.0µm are statistically distributed in an area of 6 x 6mm. For improved conductivity, the SPS test specimen has been coated with a thin layer of carbon. The SPS test specimens are made with a defined number of Pb/Sb/Ba particles. However, some particles can be missing or could have been on a different location. Therefore, each SPS test specimen has been individually tested and comes with a certificate stating the exact number of Pb/Sb/Ba particles and their locations.

• 8 x 8mm glassy carbon substrate on standard pin stub
• Approximately 150 Pb/Sb/Ba particles, sizes are 0.5 / 0.75 / 1.0 / 1.25 / 1.5 and 2.0µm
• 4 Pb/Sb/Ba particles are approximately 12µm in diameter
• Carbon coated
• Each SPS test specimen has unique ID number
• Certifiedwith X/Y location map and confirming chemical composition of the particles

It is recommended that the BSE signal of the SEM is used for imaging the particles since there is a high contrast signal difference between the Pb/Ba/Sb particles and the glassy carbon substrate. Beam current of the SEM should not exceed 2 nA. Instructions are supplied with the SPS test specimen. For the evaluation of the automated GSR measurements it is recommended that the data obtained from the Pb/Ba/Sb particles (in particular their X-Y coordinates and the particle size) is displayed as an X-Y plot. When using an appropriate display area, a direct comparison can be made of the positions and the size of the detected particles with the particle matrix.

Test specimen for checking and validating automated particle analysis using SEM/EDX systems

This test specimen has 15 lines of particles with different sizes with 20 particles spaced equally per line. With the known particle sizes and positions this test specimen can be used to test and validate SEM/EDX systems used for automated particle analysis applications.

• 10 lines x 20 particles point matrix
• 20 particles of the same size are on a virtual line, equally spaced by 150µm
• Particles sizes are 2.0 / 1.8 / 1.6 / 1.5 / 1.4 /1.3 / 1.2 / 1.1 / 1.0 / 0.9 / 0.8 / 0.7 / 0.6 / 0.5 and 0.4µm (some particles can be missing)
• Each size category is labeled at the beginning of the line
• Multilayer structure with PbO, BaF² and Sb2O³ particles
• Glassy carbon substrate
• Each test specimen holds two sets of the 10 x 20 point matrix.

To avoid contamination, we recommend storing the SPS-TM-A GSR test specimen in the PELCO® SEM Sample Stub Vacuum Desiccator #16179.