Royal Free Imaging Suite

Based at the Royal Free Hospital Medical School, the facility enables researchers to explore structures, surfaces and processes in detail, from cellular systems to complex materials.

Who can use the imaging suite

The facility is open to a wide research community, including:

• UCL undergraduate and postgraduate students
• UCL researchers and academic staff
• External academic collaborators
• Industry partners

We welcome interdisciplinary work and collaboration.

Services

• Electron microscopy - scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM)
• Fluorescence microscopy - live confocal imaging (upright and inverted)
• Surface topography analysis - atomic force microscopy (AFM) and laser surface scanning
• Surface chemistry analysis - Raman microscopy
• Sample preparation support - technician-assisted preparation for biological and material samples

Equipment

Transmission Electron Microscope - Hitachi HT7800

Features

• 120 kV transmission electron microscope (TEM)
• High-quality, reproducible image and data acquisition
• Automated alignments and settings to streamline operation
• Simplified workflow from field-of-view selection to image capture
• 60MP camera for high-resolution imaging
• Elemental mapping capabilities
• Electron diffraction functionality
• 3D tilt tomography

• Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM) support

   

Scanning Electron Microscope Zeiss Sigma FE SEM

Features

• Field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM)
• Excellent user experience with streamlined operation
• Voltage range from below 1 kV to 30 kV
• High-resolution imaging at high kV
• Enhanced resolution and contrast at 1 kV or below
• Best-in-class EDS geometry for elemental analysis
• Faster and more precise acquisition of elemental analytical data
• 4-quadrant backscattered electron detector (BSD)
• Detector set-up for viewing TEM grids

Scanning Electron Microscope Zeiss EVO MA10

Features

• High-performance scanning electron microscope (SEM)
• Suitable for a wide range of research and industrial applications
• High-resolution imaging capabilities
• Visualisation of microstructures, nanoparticles, and surface topographies
• EDS detector for elemental analysis
• Elemental mapping functionality to identify sample composition
• Equipped with inSEM microCT capabilities

Aurox LED Spinning Disc Confocal Microscope

Features

• LED spinning disk structured illumination confocal microscope
• High-speed, multi-channel imaging capabilities
• Disk with three pattern structures for selective confocality
• Supports imaging from high-resolution to low sample signal conditions
• Requires less energy than pinhole-based confocal systems
• Excitation wavelength range of approximately 350–750 nm
• Four filter cubes: DAPI, GFP, TRITC, and Cy5
• 4MP CMOS image capture
• Visionary for Clarity control software with an easy-to-use interface

AIST Horiba Omegascope SPM

Features

• SmartSPM OmegaScope scanning probe microscope (SPM)
• Automated and motorised laser-cantilever-photodiode alignment
• Simplified setup and alignment process
• Maximum scan area of 100 × 100 microns
• Supports contact AFM imaging
• Supports semicontact AFM imaging
• Supports non-contact AFM imaging
• Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) capabilities
• Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) functionality
• Force curve measurement capabilities
• Piezo Force Microscopy (PFM) support
• Nanolithography functionality

Horiba XploRA-Plus Micro Raman

Features

• Confocal Raman microscope for chemical and structural analysis
• Suitable for applications in material science and environmental science
• Fast and detailed examination of sample composition and structure
• Precise confocal analysis capabilities
• Accommodates a wide range of sample types
• Supports a variety of Raman scattering characteristics

Horiba SPM Raman TERS

Features

• Integrated HORIBA Raman spectroscope and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
• Simultaneous co-localised AFM-Raman measurements
• AFM-Raman mapping capabilities
• Fast, high-resolution nanoscale analysis
• Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) functionality
• Suitable for characterisation of molecules
• Supports analysis of 1D and 2D materials
• Enables study of semiconducting nanostructures
• Suitable for biomaterials research

How to access the facility

Training and technical support

Training is available for all users and is required before using equipment independently.

The facility team provides:

• Equipment training
• Technical guidance
• Support with sample preparation and imaging approaches

We aim to make the facility accessible to researchers at all stages of their work.

How to find us