eTraining Introduction How to Use This Module Introduction Choosing the Preparation Method Mount Fabrication Procedure Steel Etching Procedure Steel Polishing Procedure Rocks and Minerals Equipment Procedure Introduction Jet Spraying Lofting Suspension Odd Shapes - Fractures Cryo Fracture Technique Electronic Materials and Carbon Nanotubes Multiprep Polishing Procedure Handling Specimen Coating Reasons for Coating Metal Coating Procedure Carbon Coating Procedure Introduction Specimen Holders by Instrument Overview Interactive Parts Tour Operating Procedures Overview Chemicals and Materials Solution Preparation Chemical Calculations Fixation and Dehydration Mounting Safety and Disposal References Form and Function Signal Source and Detection Interactive Parts Tour Interactive Cutaway Tour Safety Procedures Operating Procedures Basic Imaging Advanced Imaging EDS X-Ray Spectral Analysis EDS X-Ray Mapping WDS Quantitative Analysis Procedure WDS X-Ray Mapping Overview WDS X-Ray Mapping Procedure Shut Down FAQs Troubleshooting VIDEO: Specimen Loading Technique VIDEO: Start Up Technique VIDEO: Specimen Unloading Technique Form and Function 1 Form and Function 2 Chemical Analysis Interactive Parts Tour Interactive Cutaway Tour Software Tour Safety Procedures Preliminary Specimen Exchange Flashing Imaging Shut Down Backscatter Imaging Charging Specimen Types X-Ray Spectral Analysis X-Ray Mapping Why Use FESEM? Specimen Constraints General FAQs Troubleshooting X-Rays and Spectra Energy Dispersive Spectrometer Wavelength Dispersive Spectrometer Safety Procedures EDS Versus WDS Quantitative X-Ray Microanalysis Basic Science Interactive X-Ray Mapping Challenge FAQs Troubleshooting Overview Tapping Mode Laser Alignment Preliminary Alignment Operation Image Viewing/Offline Operation Shut Down System Requirements Alternative Content Contact General Lab Safety Disclaimers Usage Permissions Site Map

Operating Procedures

Sign-in

1. Swipe your card through the card reader with the magnetic strip facing the left.    
2. Select which account and instrument to use in order to activate the microscope.    

Preliminary

1. Check that the lamp behind the filament EMISSION-CURRENT is on. If not, contact lab personnel immediately. VIEW
2. Ensure that the EDS detector is in the "out" position. VIEW
3. Locate the red power switch for the dSpec control box near the triangular control panel on the left side of the SEM operation console and make sure that the switch is on. VIEW
4. Log-in to the computer and open the dPict32 software. Make sure that the stage position reading is X = 25.000 and Y= 35.000.    
5. Check that the stage is set to X = 25 and Y = 35, Tilt = 0, and WD = 39. If these are set wrong, go back to dSpec and select Stage > Home Position. VIEW
6. Turn on the infrared chamber camera and monitor.    

Specimen Exchange

The procedure is best understood by watching the SEM Specimen Loading Technique video in JEOL JSM-6400 SEM.

1. Do not touch the exchange rod! VIEW
2. Screw the exchange rod into the sample holder and then pull back the exchange rod until the plexiglass door plate locks into position.    
3. Holding the plexiglass door plate against the exchange port, depress the red vacuum button.    
4. Wait until the light in the button turns off.    
5. Open the gate valve by turning the knob towards you and pulling outwards to the right.    
6. Looking at either the chamber camera monitor or inside the chamber itself, push the rod in until the sample holder slides onto the dovetail and stops after some resistance.    
7. Unscrew the rod and pull out until the rod locks back into place.    
8. Close the gate by pushing in to the left and then rotating the knob away from you.    
9. Push the red button to release the vacuum in exchange port.    
10. Place the exchange rod back on the holder.    

Control Panel Settings/ Filament Saturation

The procedure is best understood by watching the SEM Start Up Technique video in JEOL JSM-6400 SEM.

1. Turn up the CRT Image contrast knobs and CRT Image brightness knobs on both CRTs. VIEW
2. Depress the MEMO key on the keyboard. VIEW
3. Use the Up or Down arrows on the keyboard to select your choice of accelerating voltage. Press the "L" key for Load. VIEW
4. Make sure you are in the lowest magnification. This can be read in the bottom of the left CRT. VIEW
5. Use the Focus knob to make sure the working distance is 39 mm. VIEW
6. On the control panel, press the SCAN MODE button until the linescan profile (LSP) appears. Depress the SCAN SPEED FAST button to select a fast scan speed. Press the DISPLAY D-MAG button. VIEW
7. Press the ACCEL VOLTAGE. The button should light up. VIEW
8. Saturate the filament slowly by turning the EMISSION knob clockwise. VIEW
9. Turn off DISPLAY D-MAG. To view the image, depress the SCAN PIC button.    

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