The monitor failed on the FESEM and I moved one from another lab. Only problem is that it is a wide screen. Images on the monitor appear stretched but the images you save will not be stretched. We will receive a proper replacement tomorrow.
I will loosen up the 2 hour time limit constraints on SEM sign-up time to 4 hours. The only problem we have ever had is when users block large blocks of time for several days during a week. We need to make sure that everyone has access to the SEMs when needed.
Remember that evening hours are available to unrestricted users (who have swipe access to the lab doors).
The electronic logbook is working. But, just in case we have problems again, please use both the paper logbook and the electronic version too.
Materials Science and Engineering Seminar
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Michigan Technological University
Abstract: This talk presents an overview of state-of-the-art capabilities of the aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (ac-STEM) at ACMAL, Michigan Tech. The FEI Titan Themis microscope we have here is one of a kind in the whole nation in terms of capabilities.
Tuesday, October 22 at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Minerals and Materials Engineering Building (M&M), 610
1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931
The ESEM is online. We repaired the broken BSE detector. As far as I know everything is working properly.
We are seeing some yellow spots in dark areas on the FESEM screen, but they go away before acquiring an image. Let me know if you start seeing distortion in your acquired images. I’ll work on getting Hitachi service here to repair.
A part failed in the deposition gun – the depo gun is unusable. I ordered the repair part but it might take up to 80 days to arrive.
The FIB can be used for milling but we cannot do any lift-out work until the depo gun is working.
Graduate students Mikhail Trought (Chemistry) and Chathura de Alwis (Chemistry), with undergraduate student alumnus Isobel Wentworth (ChemEng), research assistant professor Timothy R. Leftwich (MSE), and assistant professor Kathryn A. Perrine (Chemistry) published a paper titled “Influence of surface etching and oxidation on the morphological growth of Al2O3 by ALD” in Surface Science on August 9, 2019.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susc.2019.121479
The authors acknowledge the Applied Chemical & Morphological Analysis Laboratory (ACMAL) at Michigan Technological University for use of instruments and staff assistance, including Director Owen Mills, for training on the FESEM and FIB.
M. Trought and K. Perrine prepared the samples at Michigan Tech and at the Univ. of Minnesota, performed the surface analysis, analyzed all data collected, and wrote the manuscript. T. Leftwich assisted with the XPS data collection and analysis, and reviewing & editing the manuscript. I. Wentworth and C. de Alwis assisted with sample preparation and FTIR analysis. K. Perrine conceptualized the project.
There is a problem with the ESEM. It can’t be used until we can look at it on Monday.
I’ve repaired the EDS and it appears to be working correctly now. I’m watching it for signs of the original problem.