What is WATLab? As a result of the funding from CFI and OIT in the first competition, a multi-user materials research and characterization facility WATLabs designed for multi-mission research by academic and industrial users has been established at the University of Waterloo. To date, this unique facility consists of two fully operational state-of-the-art materials analytical systems:
An ultrahigh resolution Scanning Electron Microscope with fully loaded EDX and OIM systems. With
a proven spatial resolution of 3 nm at 1kV and 1.5 nm at 15 kV, this system can provide near-atomic-resolution imaging of a wide range of materials from metals, semiconductors, to polymers, biomaterials, and other soft materials. Machine description of the LEO 1530 FE-SEM. Machine description of the EDAX Pegasus 1200 integrated EDX/OIM.
- A multi-technique Imaging ESCA Microprobe System,
capable of 3D composition and chemical-state analyses by highest resolution imaging XPS, UPS, SAM, SEM, ISS, etc. It is equipped with a separate quadrupole SIMS chamber for both dynamic depth-profiling and static dynamic analyses, and a flexible, multipurpose sample preparation to accommodate the widest possible range of materials research involving in-situ UHV analysis. Machine description of the VG ESCALab 250.
How to access WATLab? For immediate information about access, how to submit samples and all other information, please contact us directly. Given that our mission is to provide an advanced infrastructure to significantly expand the scope of high quality research in emerging R&D areas in Canada's Technology Triangle, every effort has been made to offer a highly competitive rate. More info will be made available on line at this website as the facility evolves.Who's supporting WATLab? Contrary to what WATLabs may appear, WATLabs is a facility run by my own group and is sadly NOT supported in any way by the Chemistry Dept nor the Faculty of Science nor the University administration. Not a single dime from any level of the UW administration is received. Despite this, we will continue to provide on-campus general service on a "partial" cost recovery basis. We will assist other research groups in their research objectives to take advantage of this unique facility. For those users who cannot wait, we recommend other external fee-for-service facilities such as Surface Science Western (University of Western Ontario). KTL
WATLab Events
May 28, 2006 ESCALab under water!
Years of deferred maintenance have finally caught up with UW and the only ESCALab 250 in Canada is now quite wet. The problem (of a potential broken pipe) was first noted 2-3 years ago and a bandage solution was implemented (the infamous UW's drip-pan solution). Unfortunately, the crack has widen and the drip pan was not big enough to catch all the water leaks. Damages unknown but potentially astronomical.
Watch flood Video 1 (36 MB) Video 2 (19 MB) - Please note long file/download.Oct 1, 2004 MAJOR SYSTEM UPGRADES
In the past 6 weeks, the microscope has undergone substantial upgrades, including:
(1) a new field-emission source ($15,000)
(2) a new UPS ($5,000) to protect the system from frequent power interruptions
(3) a new turbomolecular pump (10,000), and a new vaccum and piggy boards ($10,000)
(4) a new in-lens detector ($20,000) to provide significant performance enhancement to high resolution imaging.
These upgrades are expensive and have to be covered eventually by the user fees in the next 2 years. Please note that WATLabs (unlike other department-sponsored facilities on campus) does not receive a single dime or any form of support from (any level of) the UW Administration. We therefore ask that the users to be extra careful when operating the facility. As with all state-of-the-art nano-tools, these machines could be easily contaminated and are inherently delicate (i.e. things break easy!), and they must be treated with respect. When in doubt, please contact Nina or one of us.
Thank you very much for your patience and your continued support.May 1, 2004 NEW USER FEES SYSTEM
1. Fee increase starting May 1 - Please make sure that your group/boss is OK with this change before contacting us. Download the new fees structure here.
2. All expert users will need to be re-certified to use the new system. I have re-initialized the calendar booking. All existing expert users should contact Nina to find out their status. Once authorized, we will require THREE working days for cancellation due to the heavy usage. There will be an automatic penalty for no-show and late start. We also reserve the right to bump users off due to machine physics and servicing.
3. We are providing a new category of service called Operator Service, whereby we will provide expert users to run samples and train new users to become certified users. We will not allow any inexperienced users to run the machine on their own until they are certified by us.Summer, 2003 WATLabs says farewell to ESQ campers
Aug 12-13, 2002 SEM WORKSHOP - A success! See Program | Pictures Feb 1, 2002 Oct 17, 2001
May-Aug, 2001 Apr 5, 2001 Visit by the Ontario Minister of the Environment, Elizabeth Witmer, to WATLabs - See full story in the KW Record - Watch OIT announcement at WATLabs (Realmedia 78 MB) - Watch SEMlab Demo (Realmedia 28 MB)
Feb 5, 2001 SEMLab goes live! Dec 1, 2000 Begin "free" tryout period of SEMLab Oct 23, 2000 Installation of Imaging ESCA
Other galleries
Waterloo ESCALab 250 system at VG factory at East Grinstead, UKJan 2000 All purchase orders complete Aug 1999 CFI-OIT-I Instituitional Innovation Funding approved
For more info
contact
tong @watlab.com
