The FESEM EDS system has been repaired and is available for use.
My apologies for the delay in repairing this detector. The original manufacturer has gone out of business so we have to work with a third party company which has limited availability.
All equipment status updates.
The ESEM is functioning well. However, the instrument is not connecting to the internet. IT is aware of the problem and working to resolve it.
This is a great and useful chart from TedPella (https://www.tedpella.com/) if you want to find out what type of TEM grid works best for your TEM work.
Most of the listed types of substrates are available for ACMAL-STEM users.
Substrates, Support Films for Transmission Electron Microscopy Grids
See the PELCO® TEM Grid Support Film Application Guide.
Erico Freitas
October 4
This issue is resolved. If you have any trouble with the ESEM please let me know.
October 3
Due to alignment issues with the beam on the esem we are not able to get high enough counts for EDS. Please take this into consideration while planning your usage. I am working with SEMTech to resolve this issue.
The ESEM is back online.
Just letting you know I put the TEM grids back in my office (MM622).
If are in need of TEM grids let me know.
Those are the ones we currently have available:
- Continuum C-film on copper
- Continuum C-film in nickel
- Lacey C-film on copper
- Silicon oxide Film on copper
- Formvar Carbon single
- Formvar supported lacey C-film on copper
- Quantifoil C-film on copper
- Graphene supported Lacey C-film on copper
Erico Freitas
September 13, 2023
I’m pleased to report that the ESEM repairs will be completed today and the instrument is available as soon as tomorrow morning.
September 8, 2023
Unfortunately, the power supply did not fix this issue. I’ve done as much remote troubleshooting as possible. We will have a service technician on campus next week to look into the issue.
If anyone has any urgent samples, please contact me and we can make other arrangements.
September 7, 2023
Just a quick update. It looks like the filament is not the issue. I have been working with SEMTech to diagnose the problem. They are overnighting me a power supply. We are going to replace it tomorrow. I will have an update at that point.
I know many of you are eager to get back on the instrument. I thank you for your patience.
September 6, 2023
The ESEM is down due to an issue with the filament. We are working on this and hope to have the issue resolved by tomorrow.
The upgrades on the ESEM will be extending into next week. If anyone has set up an appointment with us for training I will contact you individually to reschedule those.
Just a reminder, a brief training will be required before you can operate the instrument without supervision.
If you are ever going to need TEM grids while I’m on vacation (Aug 2-30), please take the TEM grids in the glass desiccator at the MM631.
Please, make sure you follow the TEM Grid Instructions.
Regards,
Erico Freitas
The FESEM is available for imaging, but the EDS system is not currently working.