Material Research Laboratories

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Why MRL?

At MRL we focus on addressing specific experimental considerations, ensuring the right technique is applied to the right project and that all experiments remain flexible as results are obtained and interpreted.

We provide state-of-the-art instrumentation for materials analysis to provide clients in industry, government and academia the best possible analytical data for the study of materials related problems. Contact Us

Services

Numerous analytical techniques for the study of solid materials surfaces and failure analysis have been developed in the last few years. Increasing importance is placed on the physical and chemical characteristics in the surface and near surface region of materials. Fields as diverse as biology and aerospace have been affected by the need to identify surface chemistry of critical materials. A brief overview of some of the techniques currently available for surface characterization will be presented along with examples of problem solving and research applications.

A multitude of publications are available which itemize the various techniques that can be applied to the study of materials. The methods are too numerous to list and discuss in the scope of this document. Because each available method of study has unique strengths and weaknesses, a clear knowledge of these characteristics can often reduce the time necessary to arrive at a solution to a failure problem or the answer to a materials design question. In this document, several analysis types will be discussed with sufficient detail to highlight their relative usefulness in failure analysis and materials characterization.

MRL's primary focus is to respond in a timely manner to solve our clients' problems. A specialist is always available to discuss your objectives. Since we routinely operate around the clock, you can expect rapid turnaround without the surcharges most other laboratories impose.

AES/SAM
Auger Electron Spectroscopy

Useful for high spatial resolution studies and for elemental mapping or line scan studies. Allows for study of 1-10nm layers in areas as small as 50nm on conductive materials and in the 100nm range for most materials. Provides information about elemental composition and spatial or depth distribution. Can be used to profile as deep as 10mm below a surface. All elements except H and He can be detected.

Metallography

Describes all variations of the sample preparation procedure which generally starts with cutting a sample cross section, mounting in epoxy or bakelite, grinding with SiC or diamond, polishing with diamond and/or alumina, etching and photographing. The term includes all materials and composites (not just metals), many variations of the procedure depending on the specific situation and all kinds of documentation techniques from photomacrography/ microscopy to electron microscopy/microanalysis.

XPS
X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Provides elemental and chemical information about materials surfaces in layers from 0.5nm to 10nm. Performed on the latest instrumentation allowing analysis using various x-ray excitation sources: in small spot sizes; by depth profiling; for ultra-high resolution (using monochromator); for angle-dependent studies, etc. High count rates allow for rapid analyses and speedy turn-around. All elements except H and He can be detected.

SEM
Scanning Electron Microscopy

Supplies visual images of materials surfaces. Micrographs in the magnification range of 10X to 200,000X can be obtained. Samples can also be viewed using backscattered electrons for image production to show limited elemental distribution data. The SEM does not suffer from the light microscope problems of light reflecting off at odd angles and being lost from view.

ISS
Ion Scattering Spectroscopy

The most surface sensitive of the various surface methods. Performed on hemispherical or cylindrical mirror analyzer with numerous gases available as primary ion source. Allows analysis of monolayer films. Can provide information on molecular orientation, contamination thickness, oxide layer thickness, etc. In ISS, a primary ion beam in the 0.5-5keV energy range is focussed onto a solid target specimen. Interactions between the primary ion beam and the target results in the production of scattered primary ions and neutrals, sputtered target material ions or neutrals and the production of secondary electrons and x-rays.

EDS/WDS
Energy and Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopies

Used in conjunction with either SEM or STEM to provide elemental information about the region visible in the associated micrographs. An effective method for analyzing for the main components as well as low level (nominally 0.1%) contaminants in relatively thick (several micron) layers. Analyzes volumes in the size range of 0.5-10mm in the SEM and as small as 10nm in the STEM. Elements sodium and heavier can be easily detected.

RGA
Residual Gas Analysis

SAllows mass fragments present in an evacuated chamber to be identified. The mass fragmentation pattern can frequently be used to identify the original chemical structure of a gas if the basic elemental composition is known and by making reasonable assumptions about possible chemical interactions. The typical quadrupole based mass spectrometers used in RGA can identify molecular fragments with unity resolution.

IR
Infrared Spectroscopy

Studies the molecular vibration spectrum of a sample by passing infrared radiation through it and measuring the amount of absorption at each frequency. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is an application of the IR technique in which the collected data is mathematically transformed with a background spectrum collected with no sample in the excitation beam. The difference in the two methods is primarily in the speed, FTIR being faster by at least two orders of magnitude.

Other Services

Most methods for specimen preparation and analysis are available upon request. The techniques mentioned below are those most frequently utilized in conjunction with our standard services. Prices will be quoted on a per sample or per project bases:

SIMS - Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy
ToFSIMS - Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy
LIMS - Laser Ionization Mass Spectroscopy
TEM - Transmission Electron Microscopy
XRD - X-ray Diffraction
LRS - Laser Raman Spectroscopy
LM - Light Microscopy
GC - Gas Chromatography
Ion Chromatography
UV/VIS/NIR Spectroscopy
Diamond Knife Microtomy
Image Analysis
DTA - Differential Thermal Analysis
TGA - Thermal Gravimetric Analysis
Radiography / Microradiography
PLM/DS - Polarized Light Microscopy / Dispersion Staining
Mechanical Testing
Fast Testing

Special Services

Materials Research Laboratories, Inc. specializes in the total solution of materials problems. Detailed scientific services are available in the following general areas:

Failure Analysis
General Materials Consulting
Courtroom Testimony
On-Site Investigations
Specialized Problem Solving
Product Liability Studies
Patent Infringement Studies
Forensic Analysis
Advertising Claims
Fast Turnaround

All Data Permanently Archived for Future Reproduction

Capabilities include:
Morphing through Videotape
Image Enhancement including Colorization
Data Generated onto Transparencies upon Request
In House State-of-the-Art Data/Image Scanners

About Us.

Materials Research Laboratories, Inc. (MRL) was organized to provide a wide range of materials analysis services to high technology dependent industries both nationally and internationally.

Currently, our in-house capabilities include X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS/ESCA), Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (ISS), High-resolution Scanning Auger Microscopy (SAM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Infrared Spectroscopy/microscopy (FTIR/microFTIR), Laser Raman Spectroscopy/microscopy (LRS/microLRS), Ultraviolet/visible/near Infrared Spectroscopy (UV/VIS/NIR), Residual Gas Analysis (RGA), Metallography, Light Microscopy (LM), Gas/liquid Chromatography (GC), Ion Chromatography (IC), Physical Testing (tensile/shear/etc.) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD)

Other available techniques include Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (WDS), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Emission Spectroscopy (DCP/ICP), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AA), Gas/liquid Chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/LC/MS), Thermal Analysis (DSC/DTA/TGA), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Secondary Ion and Laser Ionization Mass Spectroscopies (SIMS/LIMS) and Time-Of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (ToFSIMS). All out-of-house analytical services are conducted by or under the direction of MRL staff at facilities with whom arrangements have been made to share and exchange analytical capabilities.

The intent of MRL is not simply to supply analytical data for its clients but to provide all necessary experimental design and data interpretation and to produce a clear and concise report of all studies in answer to specific materials related research & development, quality control and/or failure analysis projects/problems. Current staff represents forty years of experience in the contract analytical services/problem solving field. The staff is familiar with the study of numerous materials systems and with nearly all of the currently available analytical techniques along with the strengths and weaknesses of each method. MRL can identify the experimental procedure most likely to produce the needed results and has the flexibility to quickly provide the services required.

The staff of MRL is affiliated with numerous scientific and professional societies and makes every effort to keep abreast of advances in the materials analysis field. With our emphasis on addressing specific experimental considerations, the right technique is applied to the right project and experiments remain flexible as results are obtained and interpreted.

Lab Tour

A look at the MRL facilities and our equipment.
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