1. BLANK the BEAM using the computer (upper left button in the Stage Window).
- Double click on the JoyWin icon in the MICROPROBE DOCUMENTS folder located on the desktop. When the JoyWin window comes up, click on the MOVE button. When the Move Motors and Crystals windows comes up, click on the STAGE button. Click on the Blank Beam Button in the upper left hand corner.
2. Make sure that the key on the Vacuum Control Panel is set to AUTO.
3. Press the ELEVATOR DOWN button and hold until it lights up.
- Make sure Elevator Down Button is lit up on stage chamber beneath microscope.
4. Click on the Park Stage Button (in the JoyWin Window)
- Make sure Z-axis is at a number greater than 310 (on the Stage Chamber beneath the microscope). The "Sample Stage Down" light should also be lit up on the Vacuum Control panel.
5. PUSH the SC-VENT button on the SEM Console.
- Wait for the stage to drop (you will hear some loud hissing noises as compressed air is used to shut the main gate valve and nitrogen is forced into the Stage Chamber to break the vacuum).
- Once the stage has lowered (on its own), grasp it with two hands and pull it gently toward you like a drawer.
PUT ON GLOVES!!! NEVER TOUCH ANYTHING THAT GOES INSIDE OF THE MICROPROBE WITH BARE HANDS. The oil from your skin continues to evaporate in the probe and hurts the vacuum. The oil also interferes with the electron beam when analyzing.
NEVER EVER TOUCH THE STANDARD BLOCKS!
- Touching the standard blocks can damage them and interfere with analysis.
6. Remove the aluminum standard / thin section holder.
- First loosen the holder by turning the small knurled knobs at it's base. Carefully take the holder from the stage and set it on the counter (you can use the small aluminum "vise-block" to hold the thin section holder while you are working if you wish (it's a good idea).
7. Put your samples in the sample holder.
- Use a small screw driver to loosen the copper clamp running between the thin sections. Remove any thin sections in the machine and set it in a box on the counter. Then gently slide your sections under the clamps and screw down until snug. Too much pressure can break your thin section, be careful.
8. Replace the thin section holder in the stage
- Make sure the edge marked BACK is toward the far end of the stage chamber and slid as far back as possible. Also make sure that the holder is slid as far right as possible. Then tighten the knurled knobs so the thin section holder is securely fastened in the chamber.
- THIS IS IMPORTANT AS THE STANDARD POSITIONS ARE DIGITIZED IN THE COMPUTER AND THEY NEED TO BE RELOCATED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THEIR ORIGINAL POSITIONS IN THE STAGE CHAMBER.
- Check to make sure the o-ring seal at the top of the Stage Chamber is clean and free from dust and lint. Run a clean globed finger along the gasket to clean it.
- Before sliding the Sample Chamber back in, check to make sure the Elevator Down light is ON and the Z-axis is greater than 310.
9. Gently slide the Stage Chamber back into the probe till it stops.
- Then find the small drawer catches on the side of the chamber and depress them. Then slide the Stage Chamber in the rest of the way. Position your eye as you do this so you can make sure the top of the thin section holder is clearing the base of the Spectrometer Chamber.
YOU CAN REALLY DAMAGE THE SAMPLE HOLDER BY NOT FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
10. Make sure the beam is still BLANK.
- Check to make sure that there is no current registering on the Picoammeter when set to BC (beam current).
11. PUSH the SC PUMP button on the SEM Console.
- The stage chamber will begin to rise automatically. Line your eye up on the top of the sample chamber and place your hands underneath the stage chamber. Gently, but firmly, push the stage chamber up until it seats against the base of the spectrometer housing.
- Once the stage chamber is in place you will hear the P1 (light will go on) pump start and begin to evacuate the stage chamber. You can monitor the progress on the G2 sample chamber gauge on the Vacuum Control Panel and by watching the V1 gate valve light (the light is off when the valve is closed and will come on when the gate valve opens and the stage can be raised).
- On the G2 gauge the pressure should drop to 100 fairly rapidly. Pumping will continue at a slower rate until the pressure drops to about 40 microns. A hissing noise will occur when compressed air opens the V1 gate valve (V1 light will go on). After a few seconds the G4 gauge will turn back on.
12. Raise the Elevator until the ELEVATOR UP button is lit up
- MAKE SURE THAT THE V1 GATE VALVE LIGHT IS ON (ORANGE VACUUM PANEL DOOR) BEFORE RAISING ELEVATOR. IF THE SAMPLE CHAMBER IS NOT OPEN TO THE SPECTROMETER CHAMBER, THE SAMPLE HOLDER CAN HIT THE VALVE AND CAUSE DAMAGE.
13. Check the G4 High Vacuum Gauge to make sure it is between the RED ARROWS.
- The vacuum needs to be better than 10-5.5 BEFORE unblanking the beam. Turning on the beam with poor vacuum can burn out the filament causing you to end your session early (they also cost about $100 apiece).
14. Move back to the BEAM SPOT on BRASS.
- Click on the JoyWin Program to bring up its window. Then click on the MOVE button. Then click on the POSITIONS button. Make sure that Standards box is checked on the left. Then scroll up the list to the top and Double Click on St 2 BEAM SPOT ON BRASS. Make sure that the cross hairs are over the right spot and the spot is in focus. Adjust with manual controls if necessary.
15. Unblank the Beam (if you need to warm up the filament or check the beam current)
- Click on the JoyWin Program to bring up its window. Then click on the MOVE button. Then click on the STAGE button. Enlarge this window to full screen if desired. Click on the UNBLANK BEAM button in the upper left. Usually this window is left minimized on the Start Menu Bar so that it is always available.
