EI’s advanced lab services provide support in many ways. Routine internal measurements are taken to support manufacturing process change investigations. Process qualifications that are designed to test product to failure are supported with detailed analysis to determine the reliability level and to provide data for our modeling teams.

One of the greatest benefits to the business is an understanding of failure modes through an engineering team approach. Materials characterization and investigation of complex materials and process interactions require the information from many techniques. Inputs from Metallurgists, Materials Scientists and Chemists provides the needed interpretation of results. A broad base of experience and education lead to more complete elimination of sources of yield loss and quality detractors as well as more robust designs and manufacturing processes.

Techniques and Instrumentation

EI's advanced lab services offers a vast array of skills and techniques to understand failure mechanisms including:



MICROSCOPY/IMAGING
   
Light microscopy (refl./transm./dark/bright field)
Fluorescence Microscopy
Nomarski Interference Contrast
Polarized Light Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy

SAMPLE PREP/CROSS-SECTIONING

Metallographic sectioning
Microsurgery
Microtome

SURFACE SPECTROSCOPY
   
Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES)
Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis
(XPS or ESCA)

SPECTROSCOPY
   
Electron Microprobe Analysis (WDS)
Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS)
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (Micro FTIR)

MECHANICAL/OTHER TECHNIQUES
   
Instron Analysis (Tensile, Compression, Peel Testing)
Hardness Testing
Gel Porosity Testing (Platings)
Solder Shock Testing