EM Core Equipment

Dual-Mode objective lens

Capabilities

Imaging

• 120 kV compact-digital Biological transmission electron microscope.

• User-friendly electron microscope that can be used in a lighted room.

• Fully digital, so samples can be scanned simply be viewing a computer screen. This is particularly important for viewing low contrast samples, and is convenient for training students.

• Associated software allows user to track the regions of tissue that have been viewed

• Includes an automated multi-frame function, which facilitates efficient and precise data collection.

Capabilities

Features

• Adjustable cutting window (0.3-15mm) and cutting speed (0.2-90mm/s wheel controlled)

• 360° rotatable knife block

• Knife holder for 6-12mm knives

• Top/back light LED Illumination

• Magnification: S4E: 10X-48X

Cutting Transmission: vibration decoupled gravity stroke

Coarse knife-movements: N-S: 10mm stepping motor

E-W: 25mm manual drive

• Dramatically reduced engineering labor

• Better Repeatability

Process Changes

• Utilize different buffers for less precipitating artifacts.

• Changed resins for shorter processing time and less viscosity.

• Implemented low temp agarose for pelleted cells.

• Perform en bloc UA staining

• Switched to acetone for tissue samples

• Lead Citrate batch processing for less grid handling

• Reduced the 3 day embed process to 24 hours.

• Equipment Capabilities

Imaging

• 2 nm ultra-high resolution

• Back-scattered detector (BSD)

• Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) Detector

• Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) Detector

• Equipment Capabilities

• Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

• Equipment Capabilities

• Scanning electron microscope (SEM)

• Equipment Capabilities

• Conductive AFM probe holder and I-V measurement capabilities

• Dual-Mode objective lens

• Dual-Mode objective lens

Capabilities

Imaging

• Field Emission Gun (Schottky emitter), with UC technology (monochromator)

• Sub-nanometer resolution from 500 V to 30 kV

• Beam deceleration capabilities (stage bias)

• Specimen Stage: x, y 150 mm; z 10mm all piezo driven; tilt -10 to +60°

• Six electron detectors for optimal imaging

Focused Ion Beam (FIB)

• Gallium LMIS (Liquid Metal Ion Source) for precision milling, cross-sectioning, TEM sample preparation

• Gas Injection System (GIS) for metal and insulator deposition

• Slice milling and imaging steps automated for 3D SEM reconstruction

Characterization

• Oxford EDX detector for elemental analysis

• Oxford EBSD detector for crystal orientation analysis

• 3D EDX and EBSD capabilties

Ideal for: Ultra high resolution imaging, in-situ cross-sectioning and TEM sample preparation, automated surface pattern generation (milling or deposition), 3D SEM, EDS and EBSD reconstruction

• Dual-Mode objective lens

• Analytical capabilities for biological and materials science.

Capabilities

Features

• Filament Type: Cold-cathode field emission

• Detectors: SE/BSE/EBSD

• Image Resolution: Secondary Electron = 1.5 nm

• Specimen Stage: Motion range = 50 x 100 mm

• Tilt angle = 5° to + 60°

• Rotation = 360° (continuous)

• Max Specimen Size: 19-102 mm (height x dia)

• Oxford HKL Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) system for crystal texture analysis and orientation image

Ideal for: high resolution imaging, crystal orientation, Z-contrast imaging

• Dual-Mode objective lens

• Analytical capabilities for biological and materials science.

Capabilities

FEI Quanta 250 Features

• Filament Type: field emission

• Detectors: SE/BSE/EDX/STEM/E-SEM

• Image Resolution: Secondary Electron = 1.0 nm

• Specimen Stage:  X-Y 50 mm

• Tilt angle = 15° to + 75°

• Rotation = 360° (continuous)

• Max Specimen Size: 19-102 mm (height x dia)

• Low vacuum capability for environmental SEM

• Peltier cooling stage for low temperatures work / heating stage up to 800°C

• Solution injection needle

Ideal for: high resolution imaging, EDX, biological samples, temperature variation

• Dual-Mode objective lens

Capabilities

Zeiss EVO MA 10 Features

• Filament Type: Tungsten

• Detectors: SE/VPSE (environmental)/BSE/EDX

• Image Resolution: Secondary Electron = 1.9 nm

• Specimen Stage: 5-axis motorized stage 80 x 100 x 35mm (translation XYZ)

• Tilt angle = 10° to + 90°

• Rotation = 360° (continuous)

• Specimen Size: 100 mm x 200 mm (Height x Diameter), max weight 500g

Ideal for: elemental analysis and mapping, biological samples, large samples, fracture analysis, Z-contrast imaging

List of Equipment

• Buehler Isomet: low speed precision saw

• Buehler Ecomet 3: mechanical polishing

• Allied High Tech Multiprep: mechanical automated polishing and thinning for advanced sample preparation

• Buehler Vibromet 2: vibration polishing for final preparation of EBSD samples

• Buehler Minimet 1000: precision mechanical polishing/grinding of small specimens

• Gatan Ultrasonic Disc Cutter (Model 601): disk cutting for TEM sample preparation

• Gatan Dimpler/Grinder (Model 656): grinding/dimpling of TEM samples

The facility is designed to handle groups of 10-15 students for demonstrations at each microscope, or sample preparation, including ultramicrotome use.

Capabilities

• Equipped with IXRF-EDS detectors for elemental analysis

• View samples either as analog images on a phosphor screen or contrast-enhanced digital images using an AMT CCD camera

• Images can be captured either on film (ultimately scanned to 1.3 Gpixels) or on computer (8 Mpixels)

• Dual-Mode objective lens

• The facility is designed to handle groups of 10-15 students for demonstrations at each microscope, or sample preparation, including ultramicrotome use.

Capabilities

• Equipped with IXRF-EDS detectors for elemental analysis

• Useful for imaging surface structures

• Can also be used for imaging three-dimensional structures embedded in plastic either by viewing serial sections mounted on a conductive substrate or by imaging the sample at the surface of the block face after each cut