At long last the new Pt/Pd target has arrived and we can return to the normal operating procedure for the sputter coater. I’ve installed and tested the new target.
Specimen Prep in Electron Optics
The Cr target isn’t coating well and users are experiencing charging issues. I’ve changed the target material to Iridium. Please use the settings below.
Target density: 22.42
Current: 20mA
Coating thickness: 1-3nm
The new target is scheduled for shipment and should be arriving soon.
If you have any questions please let me know.
The target on the sputter coater has temporarily been changed from Pr/Pd Cr. There are special directions for using the Cr target (see detailed instructions below). The major differences are an increase in pump time prior to starting the coating cycle, a change in the material density, and a change in the sputter current. If you have any issues please let me know.
Regarding thickness, remember that 1-2 nm of coating is ideal.
I am out of the office today Friday 7/22. Also, I will be out of the office starting July 28th and returning August 15th. During my absence I will be monitoring email, but my response will be delayed. Below are the contacts if you need assistance with instruments in the Electron Optics Facility or the Scanning Probe Microscopy Facility.
- ESEM / FESEM
JOSH KINGLaboratory Assistant
PHONE: 404-808-2803
E-MAIL: jorking@mtu.edu
- AFM
ALEISTER KERR
Laboratory Assistant
PHONE: 520-576-3557
E-MAIL: awkerr@mtu.edu
- Sample Preparation / Coating / Liquid Nitrogen
(Josh, Aleister or Keith)
KEITH PICKELMANN
Laboratory Assistant
PHONE: 989-423-0692
E-MAIL: krpickel@mtu.edu
In case of an emergency call public safety.
Due to the intermittent power outages, in addition to the planned power outages, ACMAL will be closed for the remainder of this week. The Confocal Imaging Facility (CIF), will be available unless there is another unplanned power outage during the day.
The X-ray facility will be open beginning Friday morning. All other facilities will be opening next week. Just a reminder, the FIB and FESEM annual maintenance will be occurring next week (5/9 – 5/11).
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Next week, the HITACHI technician will be on campus to perform an annual preventative maintenance check on the FESEM and FIB. The instruments will be unavailable during that time. If all as planned they will be available for reservation starting on Thursday May 12th.
Also, we will begin our end of semester lab cleaning next Wednesday. Any unlabeled samples will be disposed of.
During spring break the facility will be open during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm). I will be out of the office starting today (3/4) and returning on Monday 3/14. During my absence you can contact Ed Laitila for any facility emergencies.
If you need sample coated please contact Joshua King (jorking@mtu.edu) or Keith Pickelmann (krpickel@mtu.edu).
Hope everyone has a nice spring break!
The eyewash station in the sample prep lab is being replumbed. Therefore the electropolishing lab will be closed until the project is complete and the eyewash station back online. We expect the project should be done by Thursday 2/24 at noon.
In the STEM lab, there are many samples that have been left behind, many of which are unlabeled. Please contact Dr. Freitas to claim your samples. After Friday March 4th, any unclaimed samples will be discarded.
ACMAL staff have noticed many unlabeled samples being left in the labs and sample prep areas. Our stated policy is “When exiting the lab, be sure that all personal items are removed, any specimens are removed or disposed of..” However, we do allow some samples to be stored for a short period of time. Those samples should be properly labeled with your name, email address, and date. Any unlabeled samples will be thrown away.
Please take a minute to review ACMAL’s cleanliness policy. These are shared labs and it is important that we work together to create a clean and safe environment for all facility users.