Analytical Services for Materials Characterization & Quality Assurance
Discover VEM’s suite of state-of-the-art microscopy, spectrometry, and metrology analysis tools.
Analytical Services
Discover VEM’s suite of state-of-the-art microscopy, spectrometry, and metrology analysis tools.
Advanced Analytical Services for High-Purity Materials and Thin Film Manufacturing
Analytical services provide the data needed to verify material composition, dimensional accuracy, and product quality. At VEM, our analytical laboratory supports every stage of the manufacturing process, from raw material verification and product development to process optimization.
Using advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, metrology, and materials characterization techniques, VEM helps customers better understand their materials. We also help identify potential defects and verify specifications, so your materials maintain consistent performance across demanding thin film and PVD applications.
Accurate, Dependable, Comprehensive
We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) materials manufacturing. Our commitment to quality and precision is backed by our cutting edge analytical capabilities, ensuring that we deliver products of the highest standard to our clients. Whether it’s nanoscale microscopy or precise spectroscopy, we provide a suite of analysis that gives our customers the reassurance that their parts are made to the highest possible quality standards.
Our analytical testing capabilities provide customers with objective data that supports quality assurance, manufacturing quality control, and process improvement. By combining advanced instrumentation with decades of experience in thin film materials and PVD manufacturing, VEM delivers actionable insights that help customers make informed decisions regarding material performance.
Benefits of VEM’s Analytical Services
Materials Characterization Services
Understanding the composition, structure, and performance characteristics of a material is essential for maintaining product quality and manufacturing consistency. VEM’s analytical services support comprehensive materials characterization through advanced testing and measurement technologies that help customers validate specifications, improve processes, and investigate performance-related concerns.
Our analytical capabilities support:
- Elemental composition analysis
- Trace impurity detection
- Microstructure evaluation
- Crystallographic characterization
- Coating analysis and verification
- Bond integrity assessment
- Dimensional metrology
- Gas content measurement
Whether supporting quality assurance, process validation, or research and development, VEM provides reliable analytical data to help customers better understand their materials and manufacturing processes.
What does VEM’s analytical capability mean for you?
1
Quality Assurance
Our advanced tools ensure that every product meets the highest quality standards.
2
Research & Development
We can rapidly prototype and analyze new materials, driving innovation in the PVD industry.
3
Custom Solutions
Our analytical suite allows us to tailor materials to specific client needs with unparalleled precision.
4
Problem Solving
We can quickly identify and resolve issues in the production process, minimizing downtime and waste.
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Analytical Testing and Characterization Capabilities
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS)
SEM with EDS combines high-resolution imaging with elemental analysis, enabling detailed evaluation of material surfaces and coatings. This analytical technique is commonly used for defect analysis, contamination investigations, coating characterization, and materials research for sputtering targets.
- Capture high-resolution images of material surfaces at nanoscale levels
- Analyze elemental composition with precision
- Identify structural defects and impurities
- Evaluate coating uniformity and thickness
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
ICP-MS provides ultra-trace elemental analysis for materials requiring exceptional purity and compositional accuracy. This technique is frequently used for impurity detection, material verification, and quality control applications.
- Ultra-trace elemental analysis
- Detection of impurities at parts-per-trillion levels
- Precise quantification of elemental composition
- Ability to analyze both solid and liquid samples
Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry (GDMS)
GDMS is a powerful analytical technique used to evaluate the elemental composition of high-purity solid materials. It provides highly sensitive impurity detection and supports quality assurance programs where material purity is critical.
- Perform ultra-trace elemental analysis with parts-per-million (ppm) detection
- Analyze both conducting and non-conducting solid samples
- Provide depth profiling for layered materials
- Detects and quantifies impurities in high-purity materials
Inert Gas Fusion Analysis (IGA)
Inert Gas Fusion Analysis measures oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen content in metals and alloys. Monitoring these gases is essential for maintaining material quality, process consistency, and product performance in demanding manufacturing applications.
- Precise measurement of gases (O, N, H) in metals and alloys
- Detection of gas content at very low levels (ppm range)
- Analysis of various sample types, including powders and solid materials
- Quality control for gas-sensitive applications
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectroscopy
XRF spectroscopy provides rapid, non-destructive elemental analysis for a wide range of materials. It is commonly used for material verification, compositional screening, and coating analysis.
- Non-destructive elemental analysis of solids, liquids, and powders
- Rapid compositional screening of materials
- Analysis of coating thickness and composition
- Identification of contaminants and trace elements
Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)
EBSD enables detailed microstructural and crystallographic characterization of metallic materials. The technique provides valuable insight into grain structure, texture, and orientation that can influence material performance.
- Analyze the microstructure and crystallographic orientation of metal sputtering targets.
- Grain size shape and distribution
- Analyze texture and preferred orientations
Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
CMM inspection provides precise dimensional measurement and verification of complex components. Accurate metrology data helps ensure manufactured parts meet design specifications and quality requirements.
- Precise dimensional measurements of complex parts
- Quality control through accurate 3D inspection
- Verification of part geometries against CAD models
- Repeatability and reliability in measurements
C-Scan Ultra Sonic Imaging for Sputtering Target Bonding
C-Scan ultrasonic imaging provides non-destructive evaluation of bonded sputtering target assemblies. This technology helps identify voids, discontinuities, and bonding defects that may impact product performance.
- High-resolution imaging of sputtering target bonding interfaces
- Detection of defects, voids, or delamination in bonded targets
- Quality assurance for critical sputtering target assemblies
- Optimization of bonding processes for enhanced target performance
How Manufacturers Use Analytical Services
Quality Assurance
Analytical testing helps verify that materials and finished products meet established specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements.
Failure Analysis
Analytical techniques can help identify material defects, contamination, structural inconsistencies, and process-related issues that may affect product performance.
Research and Development
Detailed material characterization supports new product development, process optimization, and material innovation.
Incoming Material Verification
Analytical testing confirms elemental composition, purity, and material properties before materials enter production.
Process Validation
Manufacturers use analytical data to monitor consistency, improve process control, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Industries We Support
VEM’s analytical services support organizations and markets operating in:
- Semiconductor Manufacturing
- Thin Film Deposition
- Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
- Electronics Manufacturing
- Aerospace
- Research Institutions
- Advanced Materials Manufacturing
- Industrial Manufacturing
Our Analytical Services Process
View our comprehensive, in-depth analytical services process below. From the initial consultation to the results and interpretation, our team is with you every step of the way.
- Consultation: We review your material, application, and analytical objectives.
- Sample Evaluation: Our team determines the most appropriate analytical methods based on your requirements.
- Testing and Analysis: Samples are evaluated using the appropriate instrumentation and characterization techniques.
- Results and Interpretation: Customers receive detailed findings that support quality assurance, process improvement, and decision-making.
Why Choose VEM for Analytical Services?
Since 1987, VEM has supported manufacturers worldwide with high-purity materials, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and analytical expertise. Our in-house laboratory combines microscopy, spectroscopy, metrology, and materials characterization technologies to help customers solve complex material and manufacturing challenges.
Customers choose VEM because of our:
- Ability to support both research and production environments
- More than 35 years of industry experience
- Expertise in thin film and PVD manufacturing
- Comprehensive analytical testing capabilities
- Commitment to quality and precision
- Responsive customer support
Our precision cleaning service makes your job easier.
Our state-of-the-art facility in Dallas, Texas offers ultrasonic cleaning, clean room drying, and advanced surface treatments like the Twin Wire Arc Spray (TWAS) and Plasma Spray systems.
Whether you need support with materials characterization, elemental analysis, quality assurance, or process improvement, VEM’s analytical team can help identify the right testing approach for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Analytical Services
Analytical services involve the use of scientific testing and characterization techniques to evaluate the composition, structure, properties, and quality of materials.
Analytical services provide objective data that helps manufacturers verify quality, improve process consistency, identify defects, and support informed decision-making.
Depending on the analytical method, testing may be performed on metals, alloys, powders, coatings, thin films, and bonded assemblies.
Materials characterization is the process of evaluating a material’s composition, microstructure, physical properties, and performance characteristics.
SEM provides highly magnified images of material surfaces, enabling evaluation of morphology, defects, coatings, and microstructural features.
Elemental analysis identifies the chemical elements present in a material and measures their concentration using techniques such as ICP-MS, GDMS, and XRF.
Analytical services are commonly used during product development, quality assurance, supplier qualification, process validation, and failure investigations.
VEM provides SEM/EDS, ICP-MS, GDMS, Inert Gas Fusion Analysis, XRF, EBSD, CMM inspection, and C-Scan ultrasonic imaging capabilities.