Perfect Focus · Exclusive US distributor
The SNE-Alpha desktop SEM puts a full lab on your bench.
5 nm resolution, imaging about 90 seconds after you load a sample, and EDS, Raman, EBSD, EBIC and CL on the same stage. Sold, installed and supported by microscopists.
In use at
- Sandia National Labs
- Oak Ridge National Lab
- MIT
- UC Berkeley
- Purdue
- Texas A&M
- Canadian Nuclear Labs
01 — The instrument
What is the SNE-Alpha desktop SEM?
A tabletop scanning electron microscope built by SEC Co., Ltd. in Korea and brought to US labs by NanoImages. It runs on a standard outlet, needs no dedicated room, and grows with you — add EDS, Raman, EBSD, EBIC or CL when the work calls for it.
Key takeaways
- 5 nm resolution at 30 kV — fine enough for nanoparticles and thin-film cross sections
- ~90 s pump-down, so a new sample is under the beam in minutes
- One stage, five analytical techniques — correlative work without moving the sample
- Installed, trained and serviced by a certified engineer, not a reseller
02 — Why labs choose it
The numbers, with a microscopist’s note on each.
NOTE Drop to 5–10 kV for beam-sensitive or uncoated samples; you trade a little resolution for surface detail.
NOTE Fast turnover means teaching labs can cycle a full class through in one session.
NOTE Useful magnification is set by resolution — most real work lives between 1k and 100k×.
NOTE Tilt and rotation matter for EBSD and for seeing topography on fracture surfaces.
NOTE Low kV for polymers and biology; 20 kV+ when EDS needs to excite heavier elements.
NOTE EDS, Raman, EBSD, EBIC and CL — buy the base system now, add analytics when the grant comes in.
03 — Specifications
SNE-Alpha desktop SEM
- Accelerating voltage
- 1–30 kV
- Stage
- 5-axis motorized, <5 µm
- Detectors
- SE, BSE
- Vacuum
- High vac std · low vac opt.
- Analytical options
- EDS · Raman · EBSD · EBIC · CL
04 — Applications
Built for your research.
Materials science
Fractures, coatings, grain structureSemiconductors
Failure analysis, EBIC, cross sectionsNanomaterials
Particles, fibers, size distributionEnergy
Battery electrodes, catalysts, nuclearLife sciences
Tissue, cells, botanical samplesPharmaceuticals
API particles, contaminants, SEM-RamanForensics
GSR, trace evidence, fibersGeology
Minerals, thin sections, asbestos05 — See it in action
See the SNE-Alpha in action.
A full walkthrough of the instrument, the software and the analytical options.
06 — Pricing & leasing
A quote in 24 hours. Images of your sample before you decide.
Tell us what you image
Sample type, techniques and budget window.
Mail us a sample — free
We image it and send back the data with notes.
Buy or lease
Leases from $1,700/mo. No obligation at any step.
How much does a desktop SEM cost?
Desktop SEMs range from about $30,000 for entry-level models to $120,000+ for research-grade systems. The SNE-Alpha is $85,000 for the base configuration; configurations with analytical options run $135,000–$350,000. Leases start at $1,700/month.
Does the SNE-Alpha require sample coating?
No—the optional low vacuum mode allows imaging of non-conductive samples without any coating. For optimal resolution on non-conductive samples, gold, platinum, or carbon coating is recommended using our MCM-100 sputter coater.
How does the SNE-Alpha compare to Phenom?
The SNE-Alpha offers a larger chamber, broader voltage range (1–30kV), and lower operating costs than Phenom desktop SEMs. It uses affordable tungsten filaments instead of proprietary cartridges, provides more flexible sample mounting options, and delivers comparable resolution at a lower total cost of ownership.
Can I add EDS for elemental analysis?
Yes—the SNE-Alpha integrates with the Bruker XFlash 630 EDS detector, covering Boron (B) to Americium (Am). Additional analytical options include Raman spectroscopy for chemical identification, EBSD for crystallographic mapping, and cathodoluminescence for defect analysis.
How big is the SNE-Alpha sample chamber?
The SNE-Alpha chamber is 110 mm in diameter and 40 mm high, with a 5-axis motorized stage (X, Y, Z, rotation, and tilt).
Can I lease a desktop SEM instead of buying?
Yes. NanoImages leases the SNE-Alpha from $1,700/month on 24-, 36-, or 48-month terms. Leases include installation and support.
08 — From the bench
Latest insights
Perfect Focus
The proof is in the pixel.
Send a sample. We’ll image it on an SNE-Alpha and walk you through the data on a live call — no charge, no obligation.