Microscopic observation of the temperature coefficient distribution of microwave materials using scanning electron-beam dielectric microscopy

Studies on scanning electron-beam dielectric microscopy (SEDM) are reported. This microscopy technique is used for determining the temperature coefficient distribution of dielectric materials using an electron-beam as a heat source. This microscopy technique, which has the ability to simultaneously observe SEM images and the material composition by EPMA, has a resolution better than that of photothermal dielectric microscopy. To demonstrate the usefulness of this technique. the two-dimensional image of a two-phase composite ceramic is measured. To shorten a measurement time, a new type of SEDM for measuring the real time transient response caused by a single pulsed electron-beam is also successfully developed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.