Tescan CLARA^™

Reveal More Information from Every Scan

Modern nanoscale characterization requires more than resolution alone. 

CLARA™ 3 is designed to help researchers extract multiple complementary contrasts from the same region of interest, revealing information that conventional imaging workflows can miss. 

Through simultaneous ultra-high-resolution secondary electron (SE) and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging, combined with energy-filtered and angle-selective BSE detection, CLARA™ 3 enables researchers to: 

• Reveal fine surface topography 

• Differentiate material phases and composition 

• Detect near-surface contamination and buried structures 

• Visualize orientation-sensitive features 

• Reduce rescans and repeated measurements 

• Move more quickly from imaging to interpretation 

Unlike conventional UHR SEM workflows that require repeated acquisitions or detector switching, CLARA™ 3 combines multiple complementary signals within a single platform and workflow. 

True Multimodal Contrast at the Nanoscale

The redesigned MultiDetector™ and Axial detector enable flexible contrast selection for both surface-sensitive and material-sensitive imaging. 

Energy-filtered BSE imaging helps reveal near-surface material differences and contamination that may remain hidden in conventional BSE workflows. Angular contrast selection further enhances the interpretation of topographic and compositional variation. 

The result is richer nanoscale characterization from every acquisition.

Ultra-High-Resolution Imaging at Low Landing Energies

Capture stable ultra-high-resolution images while preserving sensitive materials closer to their native state. 

Built on Tescan BrightBeam™ field-free SEM column technology, CLARA™ 3 delivers stable, low-keV imaging performance across challenging samples, including nonconductive materials, magnetic samples, beam-sensitive structures, porous and outgassing materials, and highly topographic specimens. 

Low-landing-energy imaging helps reduce charging effects and minimize beam damage while preserving nanoscale detail. 

The field-free optical design also enables reliable imaging of magnetic samples without the limitations associated with immersion lens systems.

Reduce Sample Preparation 

Researchers often need to balance image quality against preparation complexity. 

CLARA™ supports high-quality imaging of challenging samples with reduced reliance on conductive coating or extensive preparation workflows, helping preserve sample integrity while accelerating analysis.

MultiVac™ Low-Vacuum Imaging with Water Vapor

MultiVac™ extends low-vacuum imaging by supporting water vapor in addition to nitrogen, helping improve signal quality at low landing energies. Compared with conventional low-vacuum conditions, water vapor can reduce beam scattering and enhance secondary electron contrast, helping reveal finer surface features and improve image clarity on challenging samples.

Simultaneous UHR SE and BSE Imaging

Acquire complementary topographic and material information simultaneously. 

CLARA™ combines the Axial detector and MultiDetector™ to enable parallel ultra-high-resolution SE and BSE imaging from the same region of interest. This enables researchers to compare surface, topographical, and material contrast directly, reduce rescanning and repositioning, maintain ROI consistency, and accelerate interpretation and decision-making. 

The Axial detector delivers highly surface-sensitive imaging for fine nanoscale detail, while the MultiDetector™ enables flexible BSE signal filtering and contrast optimization.

Advanced BSE Filtering and Contrast Selection

The MultiDetector™ supports energy filtering up to 4 keV, enabling researchers to optimize material-sensitive contrast across a wide range of applications. 

Researchers can tailor contrast conditions to highlight surface-sensitive material contrast, pure compositional contrast, orientation-sensitive contrast, near-surface contamination, and thin surface layers and buried features. This flexibility helps reveal information that would otherwise require multiple workflows or remain hidden entirely.

Faster Time-to-Data with Automation

Move from navigation to optimized imaging conditions faster with less manual adjustment. 

Tescan Essence™ software combines guided workflows with live In-Flight™ automation technologies to simplify operation across experience levels. 

Integrated automation tools include continuous real-time beam optimization, autofocus, autostigmation, live automatic brightness and contrast adjustment, automated beam alignment, and workflow support. These tools help users reach stable imaging conditions faster, reduce operator dependency, shorten onboarding time, improve repeatability across shared labs, and maintain productivity across diverse workflows.

Seamless Navigation from Macro to Nano

Wide Field Optics® and Continual Wide Field™ support fast, distortion-free navigation across large or complex samples. 

Researchers can move efficiently from overview imaging to ultra-high-resolution acquisition while maintaining the region of interest throughout the workflow. 

Even in Low vacuum mode with scanning pivot in the aperture plane maintains a full field of view in low vacuum, as in high vacuum, regardless of the inserted aperture, enabling faster navigation, smoother workflows, and more efficient EDS analysis by reducing re-navigation and multiple maps. Overview mode simplifies analysis of large, topographic, and grainy specimens, even at tilt, with precise navigation, reliable measurements, across large field of view.

This is especially valuable for: 

• Failure analysis 

• Battery materials research 

• Large topographic samples 

• Multi-user laboratory environments 

• Correlative imaging workflows 

Built for Shared Research Laboratories

Modern research facilities require instruments that combine high-end performance with operational flexibility. 

CLARA™ is designed for collaborative laboratories handling diverse samples, analytical techniques, and operator experience levels. 

Automated alignment, the live Essence™ 3D Collision Model, one-click switching between high- and low-vacuum modes, and MultiVac™ operation with N₂ and water vapor help researchers work efficiently across changing imaging conditions while protecting both the instrument and the sample. 

Together, these workflow capabilities help laboratories support a broader range of applications, reduce training burden, improve workflow consistency across users, and increase throughput in shared research environments.

Advanced Analytical Workflows

CLARA™  combines nanoscale imaging performance with the flexibility required for advanced analytical characterization. 

The platform supports advanced analytical workflows, including EDS, EBSD, Raman, cathodoluminescence (CL), WDS, EBL, 4D-STEM, and correlative imaging techniques, enabling researchers to combine nanoscale imaging with complementary chemical, structural, and materials characterization methods within a single workflow. 

Wide Field Optics®, In-Flight Beam Tracing™, and stable low-keV performance support efficient transitions between imaging and analytical conditions without interrupting the workflow.

Flexible Platform for Future Research Needs

CLARA™ is designed as a long-lasting nanoscale characterization platform. 

A large chamber, flexible detector configuration, broad analytical compatibility, and upgrade-ready architecture help laboratories expand capabilities over time while maintaining workflow continuity. 

Battery Materials Research: Reveal surface contamination, phase variation, and nanoscale structural changes across complex battery materials. 

Failure Analysis: Detect subtle material differences, contamination layers, and topographic defects that contribute to product failure. 

Advanced Materials Characterization: Analyze metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and magnetic materials with high-resolution multimodal contrast. 

Semiconductor and Microelectronics Research: Capture nanoscale surface detail and material contrast while supporting advanced analytical workflows. 

Core Facilities and Shared Laboratories: Support diverse users and unpredictable sample types with different modalities, workflows, automation, and broad analytical flexibility.