The physical analysis of technologies and materials is our core business. We use various techniques to extract the characteristics of the structures and materials, in order to highlight the failure mechanisms or the design / manufacturing choices :


Failure analysis: defect characterization (morphology, chemical composition), after its preliminary non-destructive localization

Reverse engineering or process control (front-end + back-end): dimensional measurements and identification of materials

Quality assessment of the assembly (PCBA): integrity of solder joints (IPC-A-610 visual inspections, ECSS-Q-ST-70-38C optical microscopy on microsections

Mechanical damage: fractographic or contamination analysis


These surface or in-depth analyses address a wide range of technologies: circuit boards, interconnects, singulated or on-wafer components and mechanical parts.

Two key features are performed to succeed: sample preparation (access to the area of interest) + imaging / surface analysis (inspection and material characterization).


Sample preparation

Package opening

Microsection on bare die or in resin molding

FIB : local microsection (plasm FIB : L500µm)

FIB : lamella thinning for TEM inspection




Optical & electronic microscopy

Optical microscopy (UV, IR, dark / bright fields, Nomarski, polarized light)

SEM (FEG, low vacuum, BSE, ASB) : ultimate resolution 5 nm

STEM : ultimate resolution 1 nm

TEM : ultimate resolution 0.1 nm




Surface analysis : composition, microstructure

Mapping of the major elements (SEM-EDX)

Elementary spectrum: chemical composition (SEM-EDX)

Microstructure (SEM-EBSD)

Molecular analysis (FT-IR)



Do you want a detailed presentation of our Lab services or consult us on a specific need ?

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