There are different ways to create a 3D image of the battery electrodes. MicroCT uses the absorption of X-rays to create a 3D reconstruction. The Field of View is large enough to be representative with regard to the grain sizes. However, the submicron porosity in the electrodes is typically not well captured by microCT because of its limited resolution.

The FIBSEM technique which uses a Galium ion beam for sectioning and an electron beam for imaging has high enough resolution to resolve all porosity. However, the Field of View is typically of the order of 10 micrometer; which is not always big enough to create a representative model of the pore space.

PlasmaFIB can fill the gap between the Gallium FIB and the microCT on most liquid electrolyte lithium ion cells. However, for some solid state batteries, an even bigger volume is needed. This is where slicing with a laser can be used. In this presentation examples are covered of 3D imaging with microCT, laser sectioning and both Gallium and Plasma FIB.