m i c r o a n a l y s i s

NORAN System 7

Spectral Imaging X-ray Microanalysis System

Spectral Analysis

Point & Shoot

Spectral Imaging

COMPASS: Component Analysis of Spectral Images

Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific

X-ray Microanalysis
NORAN System 7 High Throughput, Impeccable Accuracy and No Compromises
The Thermo Scientific NORAN System 7 provides the ultimate in micro-
analysis capabilities for the modern electron microscopy lab: X-ray detectors
with the highest sensitivity, pulse processors and digital imaging with the
highest throughput and the most sophisticated software suite available.
Combined together, NORAN System 7 produces accurate results and
answers in seconds making your lab a better place to work.

• Automatic Peak Identification • Accurate Peak Intensities

Using rule-based identification and peak
shape deconvolution, elemental peaks
are automatically identified quickly and
accurately.
• Confirm Elements Present
SpectraCheck both visually and statistically
confirms the presence of an element using
spectrum simulation and comparison
routines to provide both an overlapped
spectrum, and a chi-squared value
indicating goodness of fit.
Elemental peak references provide a
complete set of spectral peak shapes
collected with a typical EDS system. The
intensities from these shapes are auto-
matically corrected to match the detector
on your microscope, eliminating the need
to periodically calibrate the system with
standards.
• Precise Matrix Correction
Since 1983 Thermo Scientific X-ray
analyzers have been using the PROZA
Phi-Rho-Z matrix correction algorithm as
implemented by Bastin et al. This model
of Phi-Rho-Z has been shown to have
superior performance to all other methods
of matrix correction.

Digital Pulse Processing: Compress Your Data Acquisition Time

The NORAN System 7 redefines X-ray pulse
processing. Capable of processing more
than 1,000,000 counts per second, the
NORAN System 7 more than doubles
previously available count rates.
Whether you use Si(Li) or SDD
detectors, NORAN System 7 speeds the path
to answers by reducing the amount of time
necessary to collect data. In addition,
processing algorithms and electronics
pioneered by Thermo Scientific in 1992 and
continually developed since then to produce
spectrum with no peak shift or peak broad-
ening, from minimum to maximum count rates.

NORAN System 7
Analyzer
UltraDry
X-ray Detector

Application
Software
 Getting to the answer quickly and accurately is critical in today’s
microscopy laboratory. Often you must answer the question of
“What is the composition at one or more areas of the sample?”

Point & Shoot

Point & Shoot mode integrates electron
imaging and X-ray analysis. A single mouse
click provides both elemental identification
and quantitative analysis of the selected
areas of interest of the sample.
Areas on the sample are defined using
points, rectangles, circles, polygon or with a
magic wand tool. The magic wand tool
allows you to easily and instantly outline
complex areas without having to manually Multiple spectral processing and analysis steps are performed automatically
draw a border. The selection, based on gray as part of the acquisition
levels, is made automatically with just one
click. The selected areas may be analyzed
instantly or multiple areas may be selected
for automated analysis. Point & Shoot per-
forms processing according to your settings.
With Point & Shoot everything you need is
in one place. From qualitative to quantita-
tive analysis with full standards, Point &
Shoot is the easiest place to get the spec-
tral results you need.

Point & Shoot image overlaid with a user-drawn polygon shape and an
automatic magic wand shape

Your Results

Comparison report of spectra collected from different

shapes on a single Point & Shoot image
X-ray Microanalysis
NORAN System 7 Spectral Imaging X-ray Microanalysis
Spectral Imaging has revolutionized x-ray mapping. With a spectrum
acquired at every point it is the centerpiece for all imaging, X-ray mapping,
Linescan and advanced automated analysis. With one click, the NORAN
System 7 collects data that can be analyzed repeatedly without the need
for re-acquiring or changing acquisition parameters. Once the data is
collected, you may choose to analyze it locally at the microscope or take
the data offline to a different computer for report preparation.

Spectral Imaging provides for the display of

any number of element maps, both during
and after the acquisition. It includes a rich
set of data extraction and analysis functions
Spectral Imaging Data Extraction Tools:
for interpreting the data.
• Rectangle
Many methods exist to select spectra
• Magic Wand, a unique tool that allows
for analysis from a Spectral Imaging dataset –
the selection of areas by gray levels
in fact the only limit is your imagination.
• Circle
Because every spectrum from the dataset
• Polygon, for freehand drawn areas
is fully deadtime corrected during the
• Linescans, with variable number of points
acquisition, each spectrum can be used for and width
standardless or full standards quantitative
analysis. A single button selection changes
the display from a summed spectrum to a
maximal spectrum.

The spectral imaging data

cube contains an electron
image and a spectrum
at every point.

Network-Ready Data Analysis

From its inception, the NORAN System 7 was designed for the
easy transfer of information over a data network. This allows
the microscopist to analyze data away from the lab.
Projects are stored as folders in Windows® Explorer®,
which groups the analyses of samples or sample sets for easy
retrieval. NORAN System 7 software can be installed on multiple
computers using the site license included with every system.
Projects can then be conveniently accessed and analyzed from
your office or any other compatible computer within the facility.
Data can also be situated on a Windows Server System™
allowing for backup and support by your local IT group.
Automatic Quantitative Mapping –
Confidence in Your Results
Difficult to interpret sample compositions can now
be identified effortlessly with the Noran System 7
exclusive automatic quantitative mapping. Going
far beyond simple X-ray maps, Noran System 7
sets a new standard in sample analysis. With just
one click difficult-to-interpret X-ray maps are
transformed into clear elemental maps without
peak overlaps or background effects. This full
quantitative analysis is done effortlessly, yet uses
the power of least squares fitting to provide
results you will have confidence in every time.
The example shown here displays gross count
and weight % maps. When basic X-ray mapping is
used, the gross count maps all appear the same
due to peak overlaps between Si, Ta and W. It is
only with the application of full quantitative analysis
that the spatial separation becomes evident. Had
only basic X-ray mapping been used, an accurate
interpretation of the composition could not be
determined.

Only the NORAN System 7 produces full quantitative analysis

from every point in your sample

Gross Count Maps

Without full quantitative analysis, the gross count

maps all appear the same due to peak overlap issues

Weight % Maps

With the application of full quantitative analysis the

spatial separation becomes evident
X-ray Microanalysis
NORAN System 7 COMPASS Multivariate Statistical Analysis Software
Traditional X-ray microanalysis systems
allow each microscopist to choose the
elements for analysis. This can lead to
different results form the same sample,
depending on who performed the analysis.
Have you ever wondered how you could get
all of the people in the lab to perform the
same analysis and obtain the consistent
results? COMPASS software is the answer.
This additional software tool for use with
NORAN System 7 uses powerful multivariate
statistical algorithms as created by Paul
Kotula et al. and licensed from Sandia
National Labs, COMPASS allows, with a
single click of a button, the automatic and
complete analysis of a Spectral Imaging
dataset.
The results from COMPASS consist of a
set of spectrum and component images
showing the spatial distribution of the
component within the sample. COMPASS is
the ideal tool for anyone wishing to auto-
matically analyze spectral images or X-ray
maps. Since COMPASS algorithms are
largely free of user input, everyone gets the
same answer, the CORRECT answer.

1-Click Reporting
in all Modes
Just One Click to:
• Print report
• Open in Microsoft® Office Word
• Open in Microsoft Office PowerPoint®
Xphase Compositional Distribution Mapping Software
While analysis using COMPASS is the
ultimate in automatic, hands-free Spectral
Imaging analysis, our Xphase software
gives you the option to take full control of
the results.
Xphase software uses any set of
images of the sample – whether they are
raw maps, quantitative maps or COMPASS
distribution images – and calculates which
areas of the sample have nearly the same
composition. It then creates a binary image
for the each area. Spectra representing
each of the resultant phases is extracted
from the Spectral Imaging data cube by
using the binary images as a mask. The
result is that with little effort you determine
which areas of the sample have the same
composition, and then generate images and
spectra representing those areas.

A concise report shows where a phase or compound is located and the

associated spectra

Automatic Acquisition Management

In traditional X-ray microanalysis systems, managing the optimal acquisition condition is a
trial-and-error process. The NORAN System 7 monitors the acquisition and fine tunes the
system during operation to ensure that the best data is collected every time an acquisition is
started. Guesswork and rework are eliminated.

• Pulse Processor Rate – Dynamically
adjusts the analyzer to the conditions
of the microscope. Simply adjust the
microscope for the optimum image and
NORAN System 7 adjusts accordingly.
• Peak Suppression – The Zero Peak is a
useful diagnostic tool. When it is not
needed, NORAN System 7 removes it
from view so you can concentrate on the
elemental data.
• High keV Cutoff – NORAN System 7
only acquires the data that is necessary
economizing on storage space and
processing speed.
• Acquisition Time – Acquisition times
based on statistics, rather than fixed
time, ensure that the data collected is
significant.
• Brightness/Contrast – There is no need
to fine tune the image brightness and
contrast – NORAN System 7 does it
for you.
• Drift Compensation Time – Optimizes
the time between compensation cycles
improving data throughput.

Dual Detector Operation

The NORAN System 7 allows up to two detectors to be attached to a single analyzer
system. Data can be collected in any acquisition mode selecting a single detector or
by selecting both detectors. Dual detector operation gives you more the 2,000,000
counts per second processing capability. Configurations may include deployment of
two Si(Li) detectors, two SDD units, or one Si(Li) and one SDD combination.
 In addition to these offices, Thermo
Fisher Scientific maintains a network
NORAN System 7 Options of representative organizations
throughout the world.

NORAN System 7 provides the ultimate in power, flexibility and ease –

Australia
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pulse processing and digital imaging hardware is a suite of software Austria
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Xphase
compound/phase images and spectra. Latin America
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determining compounds and phases within Netherlands
processing is needed. Simply click the the
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images to determine areas that define areas Drift Compensation
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Sample analysis at multiple areas using
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stage automation. Up to 6 axis can be
analysis.
automated. Each mode of NORAN System 7
uses the same automation interface making Portal
repetitive analysis direct and simple. Integration with third party applications
such as Gatan DigitalMicrograph™, Probe
Match
For Windows or FEI EMISPEC ESV.
Uniquely identifies a spectrum by comparing
its shape to that of other spectra in a
database. Match is provided with an alloy Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC,
Madison, WI USA is ISO Certified.
database of more than 300 compounds.
©2007 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved.
Add your own additional Match standards DigitalMicrograph is a trademark of Gatan, Inc.
using measured spectra or numeric Microsoft, PowerPoint, Windows and Explorer are
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Scientific Inc. and its subsidiaries.
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Not all products are available in all countries. Please
consult your local sales representative for details.

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