Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) can be used in many different applications in the scientific and industrial fields.

One significant application area is in the materials sciences. EDS allows users to identify different phases in their materials of interest and to create compositional maps of a diverse range of materials such as metals, alloys, ceramics, and polymers. EDS can be used to examine microstructural features on a sample, to examine surface contamination, and to characterize thin films and coatings. The ability to analyze elemental composition and distribution at high spatial resolution makes EDS invaluable for understanding materials.

In high-tech industries such as the semiconductor and battery industries EDS is an invaluable tool used for both research and development (R&D) and quality control (QC).

EDS allows researchers to see how elements are distributed within the most advanced semiconductor devices and allow for the localized detection of contaminants that may impact device performance. In the battery industry, EDS is employed for characterizing electrode materials, analyzing electrolyte composition, and investigating degradation mechanisms to enhance battery performance and lifespan.

The potential uses for elemental mapping is huge and, as such, EDS can be used in many more applications – from forensics to mineralogy, from archaeology to metallurgy.