ESCApe

ESCApe software incorporates complete instrument control, data acquisition and data processing in one single user-friendly software package.  It is the latest generation of software for use with AXIS Supra+ and AXIS Nova photoelectron spectrometers running on a MS Windows operating system.

Usability

ESCApe is centred on its usability for all. It controls all aspect of the Kratos AXIS instruments with a fully motorised system which provides a solution to difficult and time consuming manual operation.

The instrument can be operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

  • Up to 3 samples bars can be loaded into the instrument at one time
  • Automated exchange between sample bars
  • Allows continuous sample analysis and high-throughput

From novice users to technical experts, the simple analysis workflow allows a user of any technical/scientific ability to operate a Kratos instrument

  • Multiuser tool or dedicated research instrument
  • Administrator has full control of instrument user permissions

Data Acquisition and Processing

ESCApe has a simple layout to navigate through your analysis workflow:

  • Several ways to define analysis positions
  • Predefined experimental methods
  • Incorporated database of elemental information
  • Automated peak identification gives quantification report of surface composition
  • Elemental and chemical state analysis through peak modelling
  • Internal data processing for complex spectra
  • Reporting features

Overall, this user friendly approach is designed for easy high throughput analysis, data processing and reporting.


Complex Experimental Setup and Data Processing

With the predefined methods available, complex experiments can be created with ease. Templates can be tailored to suit experimental requirements where methods can be saved and recalled for further analysis at a later date.

XPS Imaging

Individual and stitched parallel images display elemental and chemical state information where selected area spectroscopy can be performed from selected locations on these XP images. ESCApe also has the capability of spectromicroscopy to reconstruct spectra from specific regions of interest.

Group Analysis

ESCApe’s group array feature allows a series of analysis positions to be created as a single points, lines or a grid. The results from the locations within this group can be displayed as elemental or chemical state distribution maps to visually interpret the homogeneity of a sample surface.

Group analysis of an inhomogeneous distribution of Cu-nanoparticles on a graphite substrate. The colour scale used represents relative elemental concentration.

Depth Profile

With ESCApe’s control of vacuum operations and gas handling, complex depth profile experiments have never been more achievable

  • Automated regulation of gas
  • Depth profile using more than one etch mode
  • Simple data processing

20 keV Ar2000+ cluster depth profile experiment on a superhard material with 100 repeating TiN/CrN layers.

Angle-Resolved XPS

ARXPS experiments are easy to perform, with the output of reconstructed depth profiles to analyse the elemental and chemical distribution through layered materials.

relative element depth profile calculated from ARXPS data from an Al oxide passivation layer on Al foil


Data Output and Reporting

Acquired and processed data can be exported out of ESCApe in several ways to aid data reporting:

  • Individual or bulk export into Excel
  • Copy to clipboard feature which allows spectra to be transferred into another programme, such as Microsoft Word
  • Exported to VAMAS format for processing in third-party data analysis software packages

ESCApe supports multiuser capabilities allows the administrator to set up numerous user accounts of different expert levels in order to facilitate the use of the instrument as a multiuser tool or dedicated research instrument

  • Standard: user can acquire and process data but cannot access engineering controls
  • Expert: user has full, unrestricted control of instrument
  • Custom: user is able to define their own permissions

The data organiser provides intuitive interaction with the content of the experiment file with icons indicating the type of data object such as image, spectrum, sample height optimisation or line scan.  The data is linked to a specific acquisition location defined during the experimental set-up.  

All data processing steps are also saved with the data objects providing full traceability.  

 

 

Enquire about ESCApe

Get in touch to find out more or contact your local distributor directly.