Shuttle & Find interface from Carl Zeiss well received

OBERKOCHEN, Germany–Together with several pilot customers, Carl Zeiss has started application development for correlative microscopy in materials analysis and performed the initial installations of the platform Shuttle & Find. The focus of attention is the analysis of structures (e.g. polished sections), fractures, and particles. The seamless interaction of light and electron microscopes delivers time and cost benefits for all these applications. In many cases, the planned examinations are only possible at all through an interface for correlative microscopy.

Scientists at the ZHAW Institute of Materials and Process Engineering in Winterthur, Switzerland, for example, have been tasked with describing as precisely as possible the “ausferritic” structure of a bainitic spheroidal graphite cast iron and with analyzing precipitations and material inclusions. Scientist Christof Scherrer explains: “Particularly with large polished samples with structural components in the micrometer range (high magnifications), correlative microscopy is the only way to relocate the same locations without doubt.” Because of its special properties such as tensile strength and wear resistance (hardness), this material is used for gears and the parts of combustion engines, for example.

Presented for the first time at the Microscopy Conference in Graz, Austria, at the beginning of September, the Shuttle & Find interface for correlative microscopy in materials analysis is a joint development of the Light Microscopy, Electron Microscopy and Central Research divisions of Carl Zeiss. “This development was very well received in Graz, and generated many helpful suggestions which have now been implemented,” says Project Manager Martin Edelmann.

Shuttle & Find is an easy-to-use interface for the transfer of specimens and images between a light and an electron microscope. It connects upright and inverted light microscopes of type SteREO Discovery, Axio Imager and Axio Observer featuring a motorized stage with all current ZEISS scanning electron microscopes as well as with the ZEISS CrossBeam workstations (a combination of scanning electron microscope and a focused ion beam for material processing). The main task of the interface is to relocalize with high precision in the electron microscope the regions of interest marked in the light microscope (and vice versa). It is also possible to overlay the images from the two different systems.

In parallel to the first successful pilot installations, Shuttle & Find is now commercially available.

Carl Zeiss AG

Carl Zeiss AG is a leading group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industries. The five independently operating business groups are active in the future-oriented markets of Medical and Research Solutions, Industrial Solutions and Lifestyle Products. Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. Carl Zeiss AG is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation). During fiscal year 2007/08 (ended Sept. 30), the company generated revenues of EUR 2,731 million. Carl Zeiss has around 13,000 employees in more than 30 countries, including over 8,000 in Germany.

Carl Zeiss SMT AG

Carl Zeiss SMT utilizes its globally leading know-how in light, electron and ion-optical technologies to offer its customers in industry and R&D a broad portfolio of products, services and application solutions. The market-leading systems and solutions from Carl Zeiss SMT are used in mutually strengthening fields of application in nanotechnology such as semiconductor technology, materials research and the life sciences. The global customer community is constantly growing. As the innovation leader for lithography optics, as well as optical and particle-beam based inspection, analysis and measuring systems, Carl Zeiss SMT opens up new avenues for its customers in industrial manufacturing environments, quality assurance and industrial and university R&D. Together with its subsidiaries in Germany, England, France, the USA, Israel and Singapore, the international group of companies has over 2,500 employees. In fiscal year 2007/08, the wholly owned subsidiary of Carl Zeiss SMT AG generated revenues of over EUR 1,000 million.

Further information: www.smt.zeiss.com

Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH

Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of Carl Zeiss AG. The leading manufacturer of microscope systems offers total solutions for biomedical research, the healthcare sector and high-tech industries. The product line spans a broad spectrum from light microscopes and systems for laser scanning microscopy and spectrometry to hardware and software for image processing and documentation.

Microscopes from Carl Zeiss allow scientists to gain important knowledge about diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and tuberculosis. This results in new diagnostic techniques and better drugs for therapy. ZEISS microscopes support the development of new materials and enable more efficient quality inspection in industry.

Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH is headquartered in Jena. Other manufacturing and development sites are located in Göttingen and Munich. During fiscal year 2007/08, the Microscopy Group at Carl Zeiss generated revenues of approximately EUR 340 million with a global workforce of about 1,700.

Further information is available at www.zeiss.de/micro.