A meeting of the ANU Microscopy Strategic Advisory Group was held on the 18th October 2005 in the Faculty Board Room, RSBS.

Present were: Professor Jonathan Stone (Chair), Dr Patrick de Deckker, Dr Marion Stevens Kalceff, Dr Ian Williams, Dr Andrew Fairbairn, Dr Beth Loveys (for Professor Ball), Dr Ying Chen (for Professor Elliman), Dr Sally Stowe, Professor Caryl Hill, Professor Barry Luther-Davies.

1. Apologies were received from Dr Sevick and Dr Shannon.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting (20th August) were confirmed.

3. FESEM purchase.
Professor Stone tabled a summary of the requirements of the various user groups provided and confirmed by representatives of RSES, RSPhysSE (EME group, and other RSPhysSE users), FEIT, BOZO/BAMBI, SRES, DEMS, RSPAS, RSBS, RSC and JCSMR. After wide-ranging discussion, there was a clear consensus on most issues, confirming the priority for acquisition of a good general purpose machine with a cold stage and extended pressure that would functionally replace the Cambridge S360 and bring improved analytical capability and resolution for EDXA and EBSP.
It was understood by all present that this choice did not meet the request of some groups for high resolution at low voltage (e.g. 2nm at 1kv). Much of the discussion concerned whether particular machines available could approach that criterion, while also delivering other requirements (e.g extended pressure, analytical resolution).

This discussion referred to spreadsheets, prepared by Dr. Stowe showing the specifications of candidate machines, as well as machines already in the EMU.

The following decisions were reached:

1. The SEM to be purchased next should be a below-lens Schottky FESEM suitable for EBSD, with EDXA and EBSD ports perpendicular to the tilt plane, and extended pressure capability sufficient to work with (chilled) fully hydrated samples. It should have the maximum low kV resolution compatible with these requirements.

2.The Group should meet again when the outcome of the ARC LIEF bid is known, to identify a particular machine and options. In the meantime the Coordinator would undertake discussions with potential suppliers, to determine whether any have new products which could meet the specifications in 1. above, and meet the spatial resolution requirements of particular user groups.

3. High priority would be given to purchase of a FESEM dedicated to high spatial resolution performance.

Professor Hill reminded the meeting that a TEM to be sited in JCSMR was also a long-established MSTAG priority and part of the current LIEF bid. If that bid does not enable purchase of the TEM, it should retain its high MSTAG priority. Dr Stowe said that a final decision and costing for the FESEM would need to be made as soon as possible after the ARC results were known, so that MEC could make its decision in relation to the funds available for the TEM. Professor Stone commented that the next MSTAG meeting, after the funding results were known, would if necessary consider the relative priorities of the TEM and high resolution FESEM.

4. This item (a budget update) was postponed to the Group’s next Meeting

There being no Other Business, the meeting closed at 2.30pm.