NanoESCA
Next Generation Photoemission Tool for Real- and Momentum Microscopy
PESXPSPEEMEF-PEEMMomentum MicroscopySpin Momentum MicroscopyμARPESARPESSpin-ARPESHAXPES
- Live View energy-filtered real & momentum space imaging
- Precise sample spot definition for small area ARPES
- One-shot 180° ARPES overview without sample movement
- LHe cooled microscope sample stage and dedicated light-sources
- Excellent 2D imaging energy resolution (< 25 meV)
The NanoESCA is an energy-filtering photoemission microscope that can easily switch between the imaging of the momentum space and the real space of photoemission electrons. It’s wide range of measurement modes makes it predestined for momentum microscopy, ARPES of very localised features, and imaging spectroscopy (e.g. with X-ray lab-source or synchrotron).
Photoemission has a history as one of the leading techniques in material and surface science. In the last decade, 2D k-space imaging or "Momentum Microscopy" has become one of the latest and most promising developments in this field. It allows insight into the electron band-structure of novel material systems, unveiling useful effects that can have a strong impact in future information technology. In combination with real-space imaging it is the ideal tool to make new materials applicable to next-generation devices.
Band structure is the key to understanding the working principals of nearly all solid-state devices (transistors, microprocessors, LEDs, solar cells, etc.). New material classes including graphene, topological insulators, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are examined for their use in future electronic devices. TMDs, especially, are chemically versatile and thus predestined to tune their electronic structure for various applications. Momentum Microcopy provides a fast band structure mapping, which becomes essential for device engineering in the future.
Momentum Microscopy describes the combination of a photoemission electron microscope (PEEM) with an imaging band-pass energy filter. For kinetic electron energies up to 40 eV the microscope collects all photoelectrons emitted into the complete solid angle above the sample surface. For a discrete energy (selected by the band-pass filter) it forms an image of the photoelectron distribution as a function of the lateral momentum (kx, ky). For example, it is possible to see a full Brillouin zone for certain energies, (e.g. the Fermi surface) in one shot. In live-view mode, it is possible to navigate through the band structure, zoom into details or adjust apertures. By scanning a range of energy filtered momentum maps, one directly gets a 3D data cube (lateral electron momentum vs. electron binding energy) which represents the accessible electronic band structure of the material under investigation.
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How the NanoESCA Works
The extended PEEM lens is designed to easily switch between real-space imaging and momentum-space imaging by switching the projection lens settings. At the same time, the electron trajectories in both modes are equal up to the first image plane. This implies that one can use the two different apertures integrated into the PEEM column. The first one at the back focal plane of the objective lens (contrast aperture) restricts the angular acceptance of the microscope. In real-space imaging this reduces the spherical aberration and thus enhances the resolution of the PEEM. For momentum space imaging it is typically fully open. The second aperture is an iris-aperture. As shown in Figure, it can be used to define a small emitting area on the sample (< 6 μm), from which photoelectrons are measured in momentum mode.
Micro-ARPES as Key-Application
Besides the imaging energy-filter, the lens extension of the PEEM, which allows one to image the momentum distribution, is the key feature of the Momentum Microscope. This extended PEEM lens is designed to easily change between real-space imaging and momentum-space imaging by switching the projection lens settings. At the same time, the electron trajectories in both modes are equal up to the first image plane. This implies the usage of the two different apertures integrated into the PEEM column. The first one at the back focal plane of the objective lens (contrast aperture) restricts the angular acceptance of the microscope. In real-space imaging, the spherical aberration is reduced and thus enhances the resolution of the PEEM. For momentum space imaging, it is typically fully open. The second aperture is an iris aperture to define a small emitting area on the sample (< 6 µm) from which photoelectrons are measured in momentum mode. The work-flow of micro-ARPES includes finding special features on the sample surface, isolating them by closing the iris aperture around them, and then switching to momentum space mode to complete band structure imaging from a well-defined spot on the sample. This technique does not depend on the beam spot of a light source like conventional ARPES or imaging XPS, which uses a scanning beam spot. To search for features on the sample in real-space mode, the field of view can be zoomed from 800 μm in diameter to 6 μm.
Imaging Spectroscopy in Real-Space
Over the last decades standard XPS instruments (ESCA+) have matured towards routine sample analysis and instrument development is dominated mainly by software integration and ease-of-use.
Approaches towards new instrumentation beyond routine XPS sample analysis have been rare and imaging XPS with lateral resolution below 1 µm stayed long out of reach.
The unique approach of a high resolution entrance lens and the revolutionary energy analyser concept (IDEA = imaging double hemispherical energy analyser) allowed NanoESCA to breach this barrier. In contrast to standard secondary electron microscopy (SEM) or x-ray beam induced secondary imaging (SXI) high lateral resolution PEEM imaging with excellent energy resolution allows detailed pre-analysis of the sample far beyond pure sample navigation.
As a result much deeper understanding of the local sample structure, chemistry and electronic structure becomes possible with NanoESCA - an instrument truly designed for imaging.
Scienta Omicron‘s service contracts and worldwide service network provides ready support for our customers in all major markets.
Specifications
< 25 meV
0 - 200 eV (up to 10 keV optional)
< 0.02 Å-1
± 2.5 Å-1
± 90° (full solid angle)
< 40 nm
6 ... 800 μm
< 1E-10 mBar
Up to 1E13 ph/s/mm²
< 300 μm
< 2 meV (He I)
Available
x, y, z, azimuthal
< 3 μm
< 40 K .. 600 K
For full specifications and more information about product options, please do not hesitate to contact your local sales representative.
Results
Microscopy with Momentum
Photoemission has a history as one of the leading techniques in material and surface science. In the last decade, 2D k-space imaging or „Momentum Microscopy“ has become one of the latest and most promising developments in this...

Nonlocal Electron Correlations in an Itinerant Ferromagnet
Our understanding of the properties of ferromagnetic materials, widely used in spintronic devices, is fundamentally based on their electronic band structure. However, even for the most simple elemental ferromagnets, electron correlations...
Mapping Shunting Paths at the Surface of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 Films via Energy-Filtered Photoemission Microscopy
The performance of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin-film solar cells, commonly referred to as kesterite or CZTSSe, is limited by open-circuit voltage (VOC) values less than 60% of the maximum theoretical limit. In the present study, we employ...
Multi-Orbital Charge Transfer at Highly Oriented Organic/Metal Interfaces
The molecule–substrate interaction plays a key role in charge injection organic-based devices. Charge transfer at molecule–metal interfaces strongly affects the overall physical and magnetic properties of the system, and ultimately...
Reference systems

NanoESCA for Momentum Microscopy and XPS System
Investigation of :
- Ferroelectrica, (BaTiO3, BiFeO3)
- Resistive oxide memories (post – CMOS technology)
- Graphene on SiC

NanoESCA Lab for Momentum Microscopy with XPS System
The Bristol NanoESCA Laboratory (BrUNEL) is the newest and one of the most advanced surface analysis instruments in UK
- Spatially resolved ARPES; 2D materials; Band structure; Graphene; Transition metal dichalcogenides; 2D heterostructures
- Growth of films of diamond, diamondlike carbon (DLC) amorphous carbon (a-C), and other related materials such as zinc oxide

NanoESCA for Momentum Microscopy and Imaging XPS
The research group of Prof. Starke investigates the atomic structure of surfaces and thin films of technologically interesting quantum materials with the goal of a fundamental understanding of growth, interface formation and crystal formation at the atomic scale. A particular topic is epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide surfaces. The imaging x-ray spectroscopy capability will be used to identify the chemical composition of the surface, which gives crucial additional information about the exact conditions of the local sample spot from where the band structure was acquired.
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NanoESCA Lab with Imaging Spin-Filter
The latest state of the art NanoESCA MK III end station will be equipped with a series of preparation and characterization techniques and will enable:
- Unrivalled new time-, energy-, spin-, angular- and laterally resolved photoelectron spectroscopy.
- The NanoESCA MK III at ELI-ALPS beam line is expected to provide significant contributions in e.g. molecular electronics, magnetic data storage or solar panel

NanoESCA for Momentum Microscopy
The state-of-the-art “Ernst-lab” will be combined with a femtosecond laser facility and with the NanoESCA will allow studies of new nanomaterials such as:
- Deposited clusters and nanowires prepared in helium -droplets
- Lithographically prepared nanostructures
- Nanoscale metallic materials with tailored properties
- Materials synthesized by chemical vapour deposition
- Topological insulators
- Development of new efficient catalysts
- Plasmonic sensors
- Tailored materials for quantum information technology

NanoESCA Lab with Imaging Spin Filter
The Trondheim NanoESCA System is built on a small foot-print frame for installing it on a synchrotron or laser beamline. It is furthermore equipped with an imaging Spin-Filter.
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NanoESCA: Next-Generation Photoemission Tool
The Scienta Omicron NanoESCA is a cutting edge instrument with a “Live View” energy-filtered real- & momentum space imaging, offering precise sample spot definition for small area ARPES. The other key features include 1) one-shot 180 degree ARPES overview without sample movement; 2) LHe cooled microscope sample stage and dedicated light-sources; and 3) Excellent 2D imaging energy-resolution.

NanoESCA II: The Ultimate PEEM Instrument
NanoESCA II is the technical refinement of the NanoESCA I. Simply said, it is the ultimate PEEM instrument. NanoESCA II combines high special resolution and excellent spectroscopy performance in a single instrument allowing for forefront photoemission research on micro and nano scales. One application for high resolution micro area spectroscopy is μARPES on localized 2D materials with outstanding momentum resolution using laboratory excitation sources.