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 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

1. Sign into the logbook. VIEW
2. Remove the dust covers. VIEW
3. Push the power button to the "ON" position. It is located behind the control console. VIEW
4. Insert the specimen block into the specimen holder and tighten. VIEW
5. Insert the specimen holder into the segment arc and tighten. VIEW
6. Set the knife into the knife block and align it with the left hand corner using the stops. Tighten. VIEW
7. Unlock the knife block. VIEW
8. Look through the microscope and shift the knife block with the knife close to the specimen surface. VIEW
9. Using the reflection of the knife blade in the specimen surface, align the knife edge with the specimen block. Lock the knife block with the lever. VIEW
10. Water is used to facilitate the making of TEM samples. Decide if water is needed.
10.1. If using water:
10.1.1. Unwrap the tubing from around the knife block. VIEW
10.1.2. Loop the tubing through the roller. VIEW
10.1.3. Fill syringe with DI water. Attach syringe to tubing. To obtain water, advance the roller. VIEW
10.1.4. Place the refiller syringe so that the tip is inside the knife boat. Fill the knife boat with water. VIEW
10.1.5. Adjust water amount with roller. VIEW
10.2. If not using water, keep the tubing wrapped around the knife block.
11. Set the cutting window using the START and END buttons. VIEW
12. Select the proper cutting speed and section thickness by using the stored values in the feed menu (SEMI for approach and mirror finishes, and ULTRA for thin sectioning). Alternatively, use your own values by adjusting the - + selectors. VIEW
13. Begin sectioning.
13.1. Auto sectioning is possible by pushing "M" in the cut menu. VIEW
13.2. Manual sectioning can be accomplished by using the handwheel. VIEW
14. Section until the entire specimen face is cut. VIEW
15. To stop auto sectioning at any time, push "M" again.
16. If creating a mirror finish:
16.1. Section until surface is mirror smooth, and sufficient sample is exposed from the epoxy.
16.2. Shift the knife over to a fresh edge of the blade to complete the last few sections.
17. If creating TEM samples:
17.1. Sections must be thinner than 100 nm. Float individual sections on water. Use an eyelash brush to separate sections from one another. VIEW
17.2. If needed, create one section at a time using the manual handwheel.
17.3. To lift one section from the water, place a loop around the floating section and lift straight up. The section will be suspended in a water droplet. VIEW
17.4. To place a section on a TEM grid, lay the grid over filter paper and set the loop with the floating section over the center of the grid. The water will pass though the grid and be absorbed by the filter paper, leaving the section on the grid. VIEW
17.5. Repeat as many times as necessary to create the perfect TEM sample. VIEW
18. When sectioning is complete, stop the motor (by pressing "M").
19. Unlock the knife block with the lever and retract from the specimen.
20. Unlock the specimen holder from the segment arc.
21. Remove the specimen block from the holder.
22. If using water:
22.1. Remove the refiller syringe from the knife boat.
22.2. Dispose of the knife boat water.
22.3. Use an air can to clean the boat.
22.4. Remove the tubing from the roller.
22.5. Dispose of the water from the tubing and syringe.
22.6. Wrap the tubing around the knife block, and replace the refiller syringe onto its magnetic base.
23. Clean the knife blade. Pass a Styrofoam stick across the blade to remove any debris. VIEW
24. Turn off the power and replace the dust covers.

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