FESEM users: During the recent Hitachi service the engineer tightened up the stage. There is more friction now when you push the holder onto the stage. Just push past the friction until the holder stops. You can clearly see that in the chamber camera. Let me know if you want me to show you what to do.
This is the software that Pinaki uses for some of his STEM data.
Extend your research from home
By popular demand, Gatan is extending the limited-time version of Gatan Microscopy Suite (GMS) 3.4.1 software to help the electron microscopy community continue with their research from home.
Similar to the EELS/EDS Quantification and EFTEM analysis plugins, the new version unlocks the DigitalMontage, HREM, and STEMx capabilities. This temporary version is available until June 1, 2020, at no additional cost. Please download the latest package to access these new features and for minor bug fixes.
If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Best regards,
Gatan
As a result of Dr. Koubek’s email to campus regarding the Governor’s executive order, I am cancelling all use reservations in the calendar this afternoon. We will be ready to begin again after we return from the stay at home 3 weeks from now.
It is important to use the google reservation calendars now in case we need to get in touch with you.
Here are the instructions. https://www.mtu.edu/acmal/access/reservations/
ACMAL lab managers are working within the group, with other Shared Facility directors and the VPR office to formulate lab procedures to be used during this period. You can expect to receive those plans by weeks end. Please feel free to email me any ideas you may have relative to using a facility shared with other faculty and graduate students.
Updated March 13, 2020.
The ACMAL facility will be open during the one month hiatus.
Information for use of the facility during that time is included in this message.
Our overall message to you is please think ahead. If you know you will need help arrange that ahead of time.
Nearly no remote operation.
Most of the ACMAL equipment/software is not compatible with remote operation or remote data analysis. In nearly all cases you will need to come to the facility to work. An exception is two XRD software programs. Ed Laitila can help you access them ealaitil@mtu.edu .
Calendar system.
Use the calendar reservation system to book equipment time. XPS sessions can be scheduled by contacting Tim Leftwich trleftwi@mtu.edu. Avoid bringing multiple people to the lab with you. Work independently as much as possible. Special conditions apply for campus visitors who come to the labs.
Training.
ACMAL staff will do our best to accommodate training during the hiatus period, but it may not be available right away. Again, plan ahead.
Handling ACMAL equipment.
Please wear gloves for all instrument use. ACMAL staff will be cleaning door knobs, sample holders, keyboards and mice, and knob set controls each day. You can cleanse surfaces yourself if you’d like with wipes that will be available next week.
Sickness.
Do not come to the labs sick. Please refer to the University information regarding self-identifying illness and self-isolation. If ACMAL staff are exposed to COVID-19 or infected, a unit in the facility may have to be closed.
Fluid situation.
It is important to note that this situation is changing daily and you should expect adjustments to current policies and procedures. I will send you updates as necessary.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Contact me if you need help. My phone number is 906-369-1875. I don’t use text very much so call me.
I will be out next week but I’ll mostly be in town. I could come in if needed. Aleister will be here working working 2 hours each day for coating samples and helping users. He plans to be here at midday.
The labs will be open all week between 8 – 5 and restricted users will work then. Unrestricted users have 24 hour access. Newly trained users, please work while Aleister is at work in case you have trouble.
Call Aleister or me if you have trouble. Aleister 520-576-3557. Owen 906-369-1875.
Thanks, Owen
We have made changes to the process of saturating the ESEM filament. Now we use Scan>Horizontal Line and monitor that line as the Filament slider is changed. Saturation occurs when the horizontal line stops increasing when the slide is increased. The point when it stops increasing is saturation, so you may overshoot and have to slide it back slightly. When you complete saturation return to Scan>Full Screen to stop the line. Click Filament Limit as you usually would. Any of you who learned to saturate the filament on the 6400 SEM will recognize this technique.
I want to show you how to do this so let me know when you’d want to see it done. It is really easy and there is no ambiguity when setting saturation like using the “football”. We will be making changes to the standard operating procedure.
This a a precise technique and the filament will last longer.
The ESEM is back online and ready to use.
I’m not certain what went wrong but I’m suspicious of the AZtec scan grabber. The AZtec software acquires an ESEM image by taking control of the ESEM scan hardware. When the scan is complete it should release the ESEM hardware. I have seen a few times that it doesn’t release. If you have trouble seeing a scanning ESEM image after acquiring with AZtec try to shut down the AZtec software and see if the scan returns. If it still down’t return contact me and I’ll take a look at it.
The ESEM is down with a computer problem. Don’t try to use it. I’ll
get it back online Monday morning and send out an update.
Pinaki is out with an illness likely the remainder of this week. He will be rescheduling appointments.