Agar Scientific, a leading supplier of microscopy accessories and consumables, is pleased to report on the work at the CRANN Institute, Trinity College Dublin, where researchers are using manipulators from Kleindiek Nanotechnik for electrical probing experiments. 

The Zeiss Auriga Focused Ion Beam system in the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory at the CRANN Institute at Trinity College Dublin

As a leading supplier of accessories for microscopy, Agar Scientific is very pleased to have built a strong and diverse customer base. In partnership with German manufacturers, Kleindiek Nanotechnik, Agar has supplied manipulation systems for electrical probing to a variety of customers in the UK and Ireland.

One such group is the Advanced Microscopy Laboratory at the CRANN Institute at Trinity College Dublin.CRANN (the Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices) is a Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) funded Centre for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET). It is based in Trinity College Dublin (TCD), is the college's largest research institute, and works in partnership with University College Cork (UCC). The institute works at the frontiers of nanoscience developing new knowledge of nanoscale materials, with a particular focus on new device and sensor technologies for the ICT, biotechnology and medical technology sectors, with a growing interest in energy related research.

Dermot Daly works on the FEI Strata 235 and Zeiss Auriga Focused Ion Beam systems. The tools are ideally suited to failure analysis and cross sectioning, and TEM sample preparation of a wide range of academic or industrial samples and material sets.

He also uses a Zeiss Ultra Plus Scanning Electron Microscope featuring STEM capability and a number of specialized detectors with sophisticated contrast and detection mechanisms.

To advance CRANN's work, they have chosen to use Kleindiek Nanotechnik manipulators for various electrical probing projects and sample prep. These are also used for TEM lift-out while also finding applications for particle, flake and wire manipulation.

Describing his work, Mr Daly says "As well as using the micro needles for TEM prep, and probing, we are now working with the Kleindiek microgrippers to help lift and move small objects under SEM and FIB. I have always worked with Kleindiek as I had a Zeiss 1540XB system with 4 MM3As in a previous role doing semiconductor failure analysis in Xilinx. They are very precise and easy to use and a lot of users are modifying and updating them to do new things. Kleindiek love collaborations and taking on new ideas for their products that people come up with.”

Agar Scientific represents the products of Kleindiek Nanotechnik in the UK & Irish markets. The company provides a comprehensive online catalogue and price list on all accessories and consumables for microscopy. To download your free copy, please visit the Agar Scientific website and register today.