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OPERATION OF THE PHILIPS CM-200 FEG-TEM
When not in use, the CM-200 should be in the MICROSCOPE ON configuration with the HIGH
TENSION ON (illuminates green when the high tension is on).
. The microscope is normally never turned off.
Preliminary
• Add liquid Nitrogen to the Dewar next to the sample holder. (Anticontamination device:) Place the
metal-clad glass vacuum dewar into its holder to the right of the column so that the soft copper wire
"beard" hangs inside it. The glass viewing windows should be covered for safety. Fill the dewar
nearly full with liquid nitrogen and place the styrofoam cap on top.
• Log in (in the hallway)
• Go to vacuum page by pressing button Ready then button Vacuum. Make sure pressure reading of
IGP is below 10, preferably at 5 before proceeding to the next step.
1. Specimen Holder Removal, Loading, and Insertion
Never remove or insert the specimen holder when the red indicator light (on the front of the
compustage housing) is on. Do not touch the leading edge of the specimen holder (from the o-ring
to the tip) with ungloved hands. This portion resides inside the vacuum and must be kept clean.
There are several types of sample holders. The first type is single tilt (tilt in X or Alpha direction).
The second type is double tilt (tilt in both X and Y directions). Cold holder consists of a sample
holder and a chamber to contain liquid nitrogen. Thermometer and heating systems are attached.
Hearing holder can be used to hold samples that needed to be heated (up to 700°C) during
microstructure exploring.
1.1 REMOVAL: To remove the specimen holder from the column, carefully pull the round black
handle straight out until it stops, and hold it firmly so that it does not get pulled back into the 'scope
by the vacuum. Now rotate it clockwise until it stops again; it may now be pulled straight out
(carefully), free of the column. The specimen holder should be set down only on its Lucite stand.
1.2 SPECIMEN LOADING:
(i) Use the pin tool (located in the Lucite stand, under the tip) to lift the grid clamping device at the
tip of the specimen holder).
(ii) Transfer your grid to the specimen holder using forceps. To make scanning the grid easier, you
may wish to orient one set of grid bars parallel to the long axis of the specimen holder.
(iii) Use the pin tool to carefully lower the clamping device onto the grid and lock it in place.
1.3 INSERTING THE SPECIMEN HOLDER INTO THE COMPUSTAGE:
(i) Touch the sample holder tip to one of the aperture handle to discharge the sample holder.
(ii) With the small pin in the holder tip at the 11:00 o'clock position, carefully insert the specimen
holder into the airlock entryway at the center of the compustage. Insertion of the holder will
initiate the pre-pumping sequence, and the red indicator light on the front of the compustage will
come on. Slide the holder in until it stops; at this point it will not go all the way in. (The data
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