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Professor Brendan Griffin

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Professorial Fellow
Room 1.77
Crawley campus

Research Interests:

(i) “best practice” in scanning electron microscopy & related x-ray microanalysis
This involves studies of both instrument performance and fundamental processes. The challenge here is to develop simple protocols that allow researchers to characterise these microscopy tools simply and in such a way that aids interpretation of the image data.  This area  covers sample preparation, resolution and signal:noise measurements and can be expressed by the question; “how do I know if I’m not seeing what’s really there?”

(ii) new and novel applications in nanotechnology, forensic sciences & geosciences
The progression of these sciences is marked by a change in scale and also commonly precision of imaging and analysis.  There is an ongoing evolution of the science parallelling our imaging and analytical techniques that I endeavour to keep up with, and in some exciting cases help develop.

(iii) imaging and analysis using variable pressure scanning electron microscopes (VPSEM)
At UWA we participated in the early developments in environmental SEM and VPSEM through the purchase of the first ESEM in 1990.  Since then I have worked with all makor manufacturers developing new techniques, applications and also characterising the still poorly understood and complex image generation processes.  Currently I am developing more efficient VP secondary electron detectors and studying gas luminescence effects.
(iv) correlative techniques to characterise bulk & surface samples with ions, lasers & electrons
A modern challenge arising from the wide range of available analytical techniques is to be able to compare data from the different techniques. The aim is to identify protocols that provide a coherent data set that scale from the macro- to the nano-scale structure, chemistry and function.

(v) general mineralogy with an emphasis on the occurrence & origins of natural diamond (& their hosts)

Points (i) – (iv) reflect my fundamental passion for exploring the microscopic world, and helping others to do so.

Areas of Expertise:

* General scanning electron microscopy (sample prep, coating, SE, BSE & CL imaging)
* Nanometre-scale low voltage SEM
* Variable pressure and environmental SEM (uncoated and wet sample imaging)
* X-ray microanalysis by SEM-EDS and WDS-based electron microprobe analysis
* Digital imaging, image processing (photoshop etc) and image analysis
* Quality control in SEM and EMPA including forensic application and analysis

CCI Image of Mica SEM image of butterfly wing

Current Students:

(i) Justin Parker (PhD) “Sediment distribution patterns in a back-reef lagoon, Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia” (submitted)

(ii) Peter Duncan (PhD, ECU) “Charge Contrast Imaging of semiconductors”

(iii) Pui Chan (MSc [For Sci]) “The use of nanoparticles as a forensic tag on currency” (submitted)

(iv) Estrolita Green (MSc [For Sci]) “Application of FLIM to latent fingerprints”

(v) Hadyn Green (MSc [For Sci]) “ Hair – can we do better?”


Projects:

(i) A high-efficiency gas luminescence detector for VPSE imaging – funded by Zeiss SMT and with Dom Drouin, University of Sherbrooke, Canada
(ii) Structure & trace element chemistry of gibbsite – funded by ALCOA World Alumina
(iii) Sub-nanometre Helium ion scanning microscopy – with David Joy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Tennessee, USA
(iv) Diamond mineralogy – with Slava Spetsius, Mirny, Yakutia, and Galina Bulanova, University of Bristol, UK
(v) SEM performance characterisation - with David Joy, ORNL, and Joe Michael, Sandia National Laboratory, New Mexico, USA.

He ion image of C nanotube
4WD in desert
He ion microscope

Recent Publications:

Stern, R.A., Fletcher, I.R., Rasmussen, B., McNaughton, N.J., and Griffin, B.J. (2005): “Ion microbrobe (NanoSIMS 50) Pb-isotope geochronology at <50 um scale.” International J. of Mass Spectrometry 244, 125-134.

Wealthall, R.J., Brooker, L.R., Macey, D.J., and Griffin, B.J. (2005): “Fine Structure of the Mineralized Teeth of the Chiton Acanthopleura echinata (Mollusca: Polyplacophora).” J. Morphol., 265, 165-175.

Chirila TV, Morrison DA, Gridneva Z, Garcia AJA, Platten ST, Griffin BJ, Zainuddin, Whittaker AK, and Hill DJT (2005): ”Crystallization patterns of calcium phosphate precipitated on acrylic hydrogels in abiogenic conditions.” J. Mat. Sci., 40(18), 4987-4990.

Griffin, B.J. (2005): “Resolution measurement of field emission SEM images” Proc. AMAS-IV Symposium, Melbourne.

Stern, R.A., Fletcher, I., McNaughton, N., and Griffin, B.J. (2005): “High spatial resolution secondary ion imaging of metallic elements within insulating minerals using the Cameca NanoSIMS 50 ion microprobe.” Proc. AMAS-IV Symposium, Melbourne.

Griffin, B.J. (2005): “Novel Imaging of surfaces and structure in variable pressure and conventional field emission SEM” Proc. Microscopical Soc. Canada 2005 Meeting, Toronto, Canada.

Griffin, B.J. and Nockolds, C.E. (2005): “Is the Energy Loss of Scattered Primary Electrons a Further Complication with X-ray Microanalysis in VPSEM?” Microsc Microanal , 11 (S2:Proceedings).

Griffin, B.J. (2005): “Challenges and Progress towards Low Voltage Imaging in VPSEM.” Microsc Microanal , 11 (S2:Proceedings), pp.

Griffin, B.J. (2005): “Light Element Analysis Revisited in the Variable Pressure SEM and the nanoSIMS 50 Ion Probe.” Microsc Microanal , 11 (S2:Proceedings), pp.

Drouin, D., Lavallée, E., Cloutier, M., Mun, L.K., Beauvais, J. and Griffin, B.J. (2005): “Sub-50nm Metrology Control in the Fabrication Processing of Quartz-based Nanoimprint Templates by Variable Pressure SEM Imaging.” Microsc Microanal , 11 (S2:Proceedings).

Griffin, B.J. (2005): “A Review of CCI in VPSEM” Proc. NIST Workshop, Gaithersburg, USA.

Clode, P. L. and Griffin, B.J. (2005): “CCI of biological samples in VPSEM” Proc. NIST Workshop, Gaithersburg, USA.

Downes, P.J., Wartho, J-A., and Griffin, B.J. (2006): “Magmatic evolution and ascent history of the Aries micaceous kimberlite, central Kimberley Basin, Western Australia: evidence from zoned phlogopite phenocrysts and UV laser 40Ar/39Ar analysis of phlogopite-biotite.” J. Petrology, 47(9), pp.1751-84.

Downes, P.J., Griffin, B.J., and Griffin, W.L. (2006): “Mineral Chemistry and zircon geochronology of xenocrysts and altered mantle and crustal xenoliths from the Aries micaceous kimberlite: Constraints on the composition and age of the central Kimberley Craton, Western Australia.” Lithos, 93, pp. 175-198.

Griffin, B.J. (2006): “The Characterisation of Nanometre-scale Materials and Structures by Low Voltage and Variable Pressure SEM.” Proceedings of the 2006 International Conference On Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 3-7 July, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.

Griffin, B.J., and Michael, J.R. (2006): “Where is SEM Resolution Reality in 2006: How do we Measure it and What are the Limits?” Microsc Microanal , 12 (S2:Proceedings), pp. 1452-3.

Griffin, B.J. (2006): “Chamber Gas Luminescence in the VPSEM and optimisation of a Gas Luminescence VPSE detector” Microsc Microanal , 12 (S2:Proceedings), pp. 166-7.

Wight, S.A., Newbury, D.E., and Griffin, B.J. (2006): “Report from the NIST-MAS-AMAS Roadmap Workshop on Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscopy/Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy.” Microsc Microanal , 12 (S2:Proceedings), pp. 1488-9.

Griffin, B.J. (2006): " Recent developments in variable pressure (VPSEM) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM)."  Proc IMC-16, pp .

Downes, P.J., Griffin, B.J. and Griffin, W.L. (2006): “Mineral chemistry and U-Pb SHRIMP geochronology of xenoliths and xenocrysts from the Aries micaceous kimberlite: Constraints on the composition and age of the central Kimberley Craton, Western Australia. “ Proc Aust Earth Sci Conv.

Downes, P.J., Ferguson, D., and Griffin, B.J. (2007): “Volcanology of the Aries micaceous kimberlite, central Kimberley Basin, Western Australia.” J Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 159, pp. 85-107.

Griffin, B.J. (2007): “Variable Pressure (VPSEM) and Environmental SEM Imaging of Biological Samples.” In: Kuo, J. (Ed.): Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 369: Electron Microscopy Methods and Protocols second edition Humana Press Inc., New Jersey, pp 467-495.

Joy, D.C. and Griffin, B.J. (2007): “Imaging and microanalysis with Helium ion beams” Proc. AMAS-IV Symposium, Melbourne, pp. 49

Griffin, B.J., Stern, R. and Kilburn, M. (2007): “Analysis of nitrogen in natural diamond by CL, FTIR and nanoSIMS 50 ion microprobe – an adventure in artefacts.” Proc. AMAS-IV Symposium, Melbourne, pp. 51-2.

Joy, D.C., Griffin, B.J., Notte, J. and Fenner, C. (2007): ”Device Metrology with high-performance scanning ions beams.  SPIE.

Griffin, B.J., Joy, D.C., Probst, C., Suvorova, A.A., Walck, S. and Gauvin, R. (2007): “Texture and stability and the effect of the sample on thin metal coatings for high resolution and low voltage SEM” Microsc Microanal , 13 (S2:Proceedings).

Griffin, B.J. and Joy, D.C., (2007): “The sensitivity of Moire fringes in SEM images to instrumental and environmental artifacts” Microsc Microanal , 13 (S2:Proceedings), pp. XX.

Joy, D.C. and Griffin, B.J. (2007): “Microanalysis with a low energy Helium ion beam” Microsc Microanal , 13 (S2:Proceedings).
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