Just a reminder that Hitachi will be in town to service the FESEM beginning Monday afternoon. He should finish by Thursday.
FE-SEM in Electron Optics
The FESEM software had a crude tool for making on-screen measurements, but there is a software program, PCI, that can be used for improved results. If you are interested in knowing more about this program let me know. It is quite easy to use.
I have put a band around the main valve door to keep the lever closed. It is easy to push it out of the way when you want to open the door. Please put it back when you quit your session.
The manufacturer is coming to service the FESEM next week. The work will begin Monday night and the microscope will be down until Thursday or Friday. The FIB will also be serviced while he is here but that will not affect most of you.
3:35 p.m. update. I adjusted a switch position and it may be okay now. If you hear a rattle noise push the MV1 lever (airlock valve) closed tightly and let me know right away.
2:42 p.m. The pneumatic lock on the FESEM that holds the Exchange Door closed is not functioning properly. The chamber vacuum will drop when the door drifts open and may cause the beam to automatically shut off. Please keep an eye on the door to make sure it remains in the closed position (EVAC Light will be a solid green and SC Vacuum Light will be green), especially while imaging.
We are contacting Hitachi to get a replacement.
—Danielle Langdon
IT has rewritten the logbook system software. There are some great new features that we will appreciate. It isn’t ready for installation – on some systems we are going to have to upgrade the thin clients (little computer boxes) to use a newer web browser. We’ll do initial testing on the FIB since it gets less use. These instruments will be upgraded
FESEM
SEM
TEM
FIB
ESEM
Confocal (has newer client – may not need upgrading)
STEM (has newer client – may not need upgrading)
I’ll let you now when we are testing on the FIB.
The FESEM is ready to use. I just took a sharp image at 150kX. Let me know if you have any problems.
I installed the new pump this morning and the system pumped down as expected. Around lunchtime it will achieve adequate vacuum level to be used. I will check it at noon and send you another message to say all clear to use it.
Unfortunately, the problem I have been working on this week, a bad vacuum pump, is not the problem that causes the vacuum panel to shut down intermittently. There is a chance that the panel will shut down again. I am still working with the manufacturer engineer to solve that problem.
Look for my message during the lunch hour today.
The vacuum pump is coming today and I should be able to get the FESEM back online. I’ll let you know later today if that is true.
The vacuum pump we expected to arrive today won’t be here until (hopefully!) tomorrow. So the FESEM will be down for another day.
I’ll update you as I have more information.