Phenom Pharos desktop scanning electron microscope is the very first desktop SEM that comes with a FEG source to deliver crisp, high-quality images with magnifications of up to 2 million times.

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Manufacturer	Thermo Scientific
Product Series	Phenom Desktop SEM
Measurement principle	Electron Microscopy SEM & Elemental Mapping
Application	Elemental Mapping (EDS), Scanning Electron Microscopy
Sample type	Materials, metals, pharmaceuticals, chemical, polymers, forensics
SEM magnification	2,000,000x
Resolution	<2nm
Sample size (diameter)	up to 32mm
Load to image time	<25sec
Acceleration Voltages	Adjustable range between 1 kV and 20 kV

Phenom Pharos G2 desktop Field Emission Gun – Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM) offers floor model performance on a desktop microscope with loads of added benefits that make it fast and easy to operate. Users can quickly load samples and within a few seconds characterise their size, shape and chemical composition.

The Phenom Pharos G2 is intuitive to operate and highly productive, making it a versatile instrument for high-volume industrial and academic labs to achieve advances in manufacturing, electronics, clean energy and many other applications. Images can be obtained in <25 seconds for high sample throughput. An intuitive user interface on a widescreen, 24-inch monitor with presets simplifies use while an integrated power supply and robust parts ensure the reproducibility of data.

Fully integrated advanced detectors acquire high quality images up to 2 million times in magnification, at 2.0 nanometer (nm) resolution and up to 20 kilovolts (kV). Users can also image soft, beam-sensitive or insulating samples at energy levels as low as 1 kV, obtaining high-resolution views into polymers and multilayer organic films without damaging or obscuring their nanoscale features.

The Phenom Pharos FEG desktop system now offers STEM capabilities with fully automated imaging for bright field (BF), dark field (DF), and high angle annular dark field (HAADF) modes. It enables users to examine soft tissue samples like kidney, brain, pancreas and see valuable ultrastructural features including myelin-sheathed axons, mitochondria, astrocyte-like cells and their relation to other organelles.

Phenom Pharos is a user-friendly and affordable tool that offers the benefits of a FEG source on a desktop microscope. It delivers high resolutions and a wide acceleration voltage range, all in a desktop system that can fit within a lab or office. Originating from parent companies FEI and Philips, all Phenom desktop SEM systems are built to high-quality standards and offer a new approach for faster high-resolution imaging with extreme ease of use. The user interface supports both existing and new users to quickly become familiar with the system and get the most out of it without the need for significant set-up or training.

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Demonstration Benefits Applications Accessories FAQs

All in one imaging and analysis

Compact desktop SEM with X-ray (EDS) analysis that needs little space and no extra facilities that allows sample structures can be physically examined and their elemental composition determined.

Super-fast, sharp, high-contrast images

After loading the sample an instant optical image is received followed by an electron image in < 25 seconds. Advanced detectors can acquire high quality images with magnifications of up to 2 million times and resolutions below two nanometers.

Ease of use with “never lost” sample navigation

Equipped with an optical colour microscope the user can swiftly navigate to any region of interest with just a single click and keep the image overview of the sample.

Low maintenance FEG Source

The long lifetime, high brightness FEG source enables extremely stable operation and has a typical operational lifetime of >10,000 hours, which is ideal for maximum useability, serviceability and uptime.

Multiple detectors for additional information
Back-Scatter Detector (BSD) yields sharp images and provides chemical contrast information. An optional Secondary Electron Detector (SED) enables surface sensitive imaging. STEM detector achieves high contrast imaging under low voltage, which is particularly useful to view biological structures and morphology.

Intuitive software

The distribution of elements can be studied using Point analysis, Elemental Mapping and Line Scan. Further analysis is provided using optional ChemiSEM Technology, PPI/PPA, Maps 3, and ProSuite software.

Material sciences – observe and analyse surfaces, compounds and particles
Industrial manufacturing – paints & coatings, construction materials, filtration, automotive and aerospace engineering
Life sciences – Biomedical, food, microbiology, cell biology
Forensics – Crime scene investigation, gunshot residue, traffic accidents
Electronics – component PCBs, MEMS, Semiconductor and data storage
Earth Sciences –Environment, minerals, Paleontology
Education – inspire young students to see the world 10 times smaller than the wavelength of visible light
Pathology and Histology – Image cell and tissue samples using high contrast under low voltage to view structures and morphology

Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Sample Holder

Designed for the Phenom Pharos FEG SEM, this STEM detector achieves high contrast imaging under low voltage, which is particularly useful to view biological structures and morphology. See datasheet here

Standard sample holder

Suitable for most samples up to 25mm diameter and 30mm height, mounted on standard sample pin stubs.

Charge reduction sample holder

Designed to reduce charging and eliminate extra sample preparation (coating) for non-conductive samples such as paper, organic material, glass… etc

Metallurgical sample holder

Designed to support resin-mounted samples for metallurgy or when working with inserts. Charge reduction version also available for non-conductive samples.

Micro tool and tilt-rotation sample holder

Suitable for imaging long objects such as drill bits, milling tools and needles.

Motorized tilt and rotation sample holder

Enables a unique 3D image of your sample by allowing the analysis from all visible sides.

Temperature controlled sample holder

Allows the study of vacuum sensitive and fragile samples such as biological, food or organic coatings. Temperature can be controlled from -25°C to +50°C.

X-view Insert

Provides fast, easy clamping without the need for screws and is ideal for cross sectional imaging of coatings and multilayer samples.

Micro-electronics insert

Provides a unique clamping mechanism for imaging semi conductor, microelectronics or solar cells.

Nebula

Provides uniform dry powder dispersion on SEM pin stubs while protecting fragile particle structures.

What is the Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop FEG-SEM?
The Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop FEG-SEM is a field emission gun scanning electron microscope designed to deliver high-resolution nanoscale imaging in a desktop SEM platform. It brings advanced SEM imaging performance to a compact system suitable for labs, research facilities, and industrial environments.

What is a field emission gun SEM (FEG SEM)?
FEG-SEM instruments, like the Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop SEM, use a long-lifetime field emission gun as the electron source, which generates a stable, high-brightness beam that enables imaging at acceleration voltages as low as 1 kV. This supports high-resolution and high-quality imaging of a wide range of materials, including polymers.

What types of samples can the Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop FEG-SEM image?
The Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop SEM is capable of imaging particles, coatings, polymers, fibers, and other beam-sensitive or insulating materials. Thanks to the FEG-SEM, it can examine nanoscale structures without damaging delicate specimens.

How easy is it to learn and use the Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop FEG-SEM?
The Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop SEM features a user-friendly interface that helps most new users operate the microscope effectively with less than an hour of training, making advanced SEM imaging more accessible to both researchers and students.

Can the Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop FEG-SEM image beam-sensitive and insulating materials without coating?
Yes. With low-kV imaging capability down to 1 kV, this desktop SEM allows for the high-quality imaging of beam-sensitive and insulating samples without the need for conductive coatings; this preserves surface detail and morphology.

Why choose a desktop SEM over a larger SEM?
Desktop FEG-SEM instruments, like the Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop SEM, offer field emission SEM imaging with a compact tabletop footprint. This instrument features a rapid sample-to-image workflow that is easy to use, while also having minimal infrastructural requirements. This makes high-quality SEM imaging more accessible and cost-effective for a wider range of users and labs.

Can the Phenom Pharos FEG-SEM perform elemental analysis?

Yes. The Phenom Pharos includes EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) capability, supporting elemental mapping and elemental analysis.

Can I have a demonstration or free trial of the Phenom Pharos FEG-SEM?

Yes. ATA Scientific offers free demonstrations and sample testing to help you evaluate the Phenom Pharos FEG-SEM with your specific application. Contact us for a booking or complete a request a demo form.

Phenom Pharos G2

Customer installations

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Lava Blue

Phenom Pharos G2

Lava Blue has installed their new Phenom XL G2 Desktop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to support the development of a range of high purity materials for use in the manufacture of advanced batteries and other renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaic cells. Lava Blue use innovative technologies to manufacture high purity alumina powders for battery separators as well as other applications. The Phenom SEM will shine light on their R&D process, provide guidance in process control, and assist in QA/QC.

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Alpha HPA

Phenom Pharos G2

Australian-based company Alpha HPA has installed their new Phenom Pharos G2 Desktop Scanning Electron Microscope to support the production of high-purity aluminium products suitable for a wide range of high technology industries including technical ceramics, LED lighting, synthetic sapphire, semiconductors, specialty catalysts, Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology and lithium-ion battery markets. Solvent extraction (SX) purification techniques coupled with unique, proprietary process chemistry deliver high purity aluminium oxides, hydroxides, nitrates and sulphates with a low carbon profile.

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Li-S Energy

Phenom Pharos G2

Li-S Energy has recently installed their new Thermo Scientific Phenom XL G2 Argon-Compatible Desktop SEM. It allows SEM imaging and analysis within an argon filled glove box for safer sample preparation and SEM EDS analysis within the same workspace. This setup enables research on air-sensitive battery samples since it decreases the risk of sample degradation due to lithium oxidation. By eliminating the need to move the research sample from one instrument to another, users can retain sample integrity, and save time and resources.

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University of Wollongong

Phenom Pharos G2

The University of Wollongong has been recently equipped with the next-generation Thermo Scientific Phenom XL G2 Desktop Scanning Electron Microscope. The easy-to-learn interface is ideal for a wide range of applications. The Phenom XL G2 features full-screen images and an average time-to image of just 40 seconds — three times faster than other desktop SEMs. The system offers the ability to analyse large samples up to 100 x 100 mm at a resolution of <10 nm.

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University of Sydney

Phenom Pharos G2

The University of Sydney, Research and Prototype Foundry (RPF) has been recently equipped with the next-generation Thermo Scientific Phenom XL G2 Desktop Scanning Electron Microscope. The easy-to-learn interface is ideal for a wide range of applications. The Phenom XL G2 features full-screen images and an average time-to image of just 40 seconds — three times faster than other desktop SEMs. The system offers the ability to analyse large samples up to 100 x 100 mm at a resolution of <10 nm. The desktop SEM is located at the Cleanroom entrance and is available in EZbooking.

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