This is a workhorse for general purpose SEM imaging and analysis, and also is used extensively for undergraduate teaching.
The Quanta has a heated tungsten (W) filament electron source. It can operate in High Vacuum (HV), Low Vacuum (LV) and Environmental SEM (ESEM) modes. These three modes of operation reflect progressively higher specimen chamber pressures. It is equipped with a range of detectors including Secondary Electron (ETD – for Everhardt Thornley Detector), Back Scattered Electron Detector (BSD), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer for chemical analysis using x-rays (EDS), an internal TV camera (CCD) and a range of special detectors for using the SEM in LV or ESEM mode. It is also capable of Electron Backscatter Pattern (EBSP) mapping and phase analysis. There are no knobs or switches for this SEM. It is controlled entirely through a computer interface using a scroll wheel mouse and a few keyboard shortcuts.