Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This minor equipment application seeks the support for a critical repair to a vital component in the Imaging ESCA Microprobe at the University of Waterloo. Equipped with multiple techniques (including X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, depth profiling, chemical-state imaging, scanning electron microscopy, and Auger electron microscopy), the Thermo VG Scientific ESCALab 250 system represents one of the best laboratory-based imaging ESCA instruments in the world. The Waterloo machine is also the only ESCALab 250 system in Canada and is a state-of-the-art, laboratory-based ESCA instrument capable of chemical-state imaging at high spatial resolution. This imaging ESCA system has been in operation since 2000 and has been under heavy usage, serving the research needs of over 75 local research groups from the University of Waterloo and 30 academic groups from other Canadian universities. Specifically, the requested support will allow us to replace the crucial 5-motion computer-controlled manipulator that suffered a catastrophic failure on 16 May 2008. Without a working manipulator, it will not be possible for the user (1) to transfer the sample from the load-lock chamber into the analysis chamber, (2) to perform signal optimization of the inverse magnetic-bottled lens by varying the working distance (z-position), and (3) to acquire data at specific location (x,y position) of the sample under computer control, rendering this $2.5 M instrument quite unusable. This repair will bring the Waterloo ESCALab system back up to full operation, with its state-of-the-art performance. The requested repair is critically needed for the continued survival of the diverse materials science and engineering research programs at Waterloo.