Important
These instructions
are intended for use by people who have received personal instruction on
the use of the microscope. All prospective users MUST receive personal
training before using the instrument.
The following
is a list of the basic steps to follow when using the Environmental Scanning
Electron Microscope. If you wish to see more detail about any step, click
on its number.
-
Turn
on computer monitor (if not already on)
- Go
to the Vacuum control window and Vent chamber by clicking on the "Vent"
button
-
Click
on CCD icon
-
Check
and set the microscope for correct secondary electron detector, and change
if necessary (LowVac or HiVac)
-
Calibrate
the stage, install and lock your sample
-
Check
your sample height as you go, and gently close the chamber door
-
Select
vacuum conditions in "Mode" (HiVac, AuxGas, or H2O
with appropriate aperture size selected from the submenu), in H2O
mode set the pressure to 2.5 torr and pump down the chamber
-
Go
back to Detectors menu, select the appropriate detector (SE, BSE, or GSE),
and then turn down the contrast, brightness, and magnification knobs to
their minimum values
-
When
reads Vac Ok, minimize the vacuum menu and maximize the beam menu, select
Spot
Size, by default Spot 3
-
Select
beam conditions (Accelerating Voltage you want to start with), and
then turn on the beam
-
Focus
and stigmate as you zoom in and click Ok
-
Set
the working distance between 10.5mm to 7.5mm (Sample Height)
-
Move
around on sample
-
Take
pictures
-
When
finish, remove sample, close and pump down the microscope in HiVac mode
regardless the detector in
If there is a problem with the microscope, contact either
Anthony Garratt-Reed , Patrick Boisvert, or Michael Frongillo for assistance.
Electron
Microscopy Home Page
MIT-CMSE Electron
Microscopy/tonygr@MIT.EDU
Document last reviewed
July 3rd, 2008.