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arrow14PP3000T Cryo-SEM Preparation System

PP300T Cryo-SEM Preparation System

  • PP3000T Cryo-SEM Preparation System
  • PP3000T Cryo-SEM Preparation System chamber and touch screen control monitor
  • PP3000T fitted to a Carl Zeiss Sigma
  • Specimen transfer device
  • Examples of specimen stubs
  • Transfer shuttle and universal specimen stub
  • Example of a top-loading holder - eg for high pressure frozen specimens
  • Plunge freezing in slushy nitrogen
  • When not in use, the cryo transfer device can be stored under vacuum in the Prepdek® work surface
  • Using the advanced specimen handling system
  • Prepdek® workstation and control screen
  • Cryo preparation chamber with transfer device attached
  • Preparation chamber cold stage and specimen
    (side view - as seen during specimen exchange). NB: micrometer-driven fracturing tool (right) and flexible knife/manipulator (left), both actively cooled.
  • View through preparation chamber front window
  • Sublimation parameters for temperature and time can be pre-set and stored
  • Main display screen with all operational parameters visible to the user at all times
  • Control screen with camera image maximised.
    Image shows cryo preparation chamber cold stage and fracturing tools
  • Sputter coater and argon gas delivery system
  • Remotely mounted turbo pumping
  • Gas-cooled SEM cold stage (temperatures down to -192°C)
  • Gas-cooled SEM cold trap (temperatures down to -192°C).
    Tailor-made to suit each SEM
  • Off-column SEM cooling system with 24 hour run time
  • PP3000T overview
 

Quick Overview

The PP3000T is a highly automated, easy to use, column-mounted, gas-cooled cryo preparation system suitable for most makes and models of SEM, FE-SEM and FIB/SEM. The PP3000T has all the facilities needed to rapidly freeze and transfer specimens. The cryo preparation chamber is turbomolecular pumped and includes tools for cold fracturing, controlled sublimation and specimen coating. The specimen can then be transferred onto a highly stable SEM cold stage for observation. Cold trapping in the cryo preparation chamber and SEM chamber ensures the whole process is frost free.

Key Features

  • High resolution performance
  • Large ‘recipe’ driven touch screen user interface
  • Easy to use - extensive automation, on-screen help, videos etc
  • Column-mounted preparation chamber - essential for frost-free transfer and ease of use
  • Cold stage temperature down to -190°C, plus comprehensive cold trapping
  • Turbo pumping system mounted off-column - less mass on the SEM
  • Unsurpassed specimen visibility - large front window, top viewing ports, multiple LED chamber lighting
  • Cameras in the preparation chamber and SEM - cumbersome binocular not needed
  • Preparation chamber cooling - eight-hour hold time with a single fill of liquid nitrogen
  • Independent gas-cooling of the SEM cold stage and cold trap - temperature range down to -192°C (not possible with conduction cooling)
  • Off-column cooling of SEM stage and cold trap - 24 hour hold time
  • Actively cooled fracturing and manipulation tools - micrometer knife and probe
  • Twin liquid nitrogen slushing and specimen handling system - ideal for handling pre-frozen specimens
  • Specialized support backed up with a three-year warranty

Product Description

The PP3000T is a great leap forward in cryo-SEM technology. It combines the highest quality results with unparalleled ease of use.

The PP3000T is a column-mounted, gas-cooled cryo preparation system suitable for use with SEM, FE-SEM and FIB/SEM instruments. Control is via a large and intuitive touch screen mounted on the spacious Prepdek™ workstation, giving the operator instant access to, and control of, all the key operating parameters.

Visibility is a key feature throughout the whole system. Chamberscope images from the preparation chamber and the SEM are displayed on the control screen - the image can be expanded to full screen when required. Five preparation chamber viewing windows give unsurpassed visibility of the specimen and chamber interior.

On-column preparation chamber with off-column cooling and pumping

The PP3000T conveniently combines the advantages of what are often referred to as ‘on-column' and ‘off-column’ cryo preparation systems. The preparation chamber is directly attached to the SEM, but with the turbomolecular pumping and advanced SEM cooling system mounted remotely from the SEM. In this way, the mass and volume attached directly to SEM is kept to a minimum.

There are significant advantages of having the preparation chamber attached directly to the SEM. In particular, specimen transfer is always from high vacuum to high vacuum, which greatly reduces the risk of specimen contamination (frosting). In addition, it makes the system easier to use and allows the operator a more flexible approach to specimen preparation and observation. This is because during a single processing run it may be useful to move the specimen between the preparation chamber and the SEM cold stage - and vice versa - on a number of occasions.

Prepdek™ workstation and touch screen user interface

The PP3000T is controlled using an intuitive colour touch screen, mounted on the user-friendly Prepdek™ workstation. The touch screen allows user-defined ‘recipes’ to be rapidly entered and stored for instant future access. The screen can be set to suit different operator levels and preferences - eg analogue or digital vacuum measurements.

Chamberscope images of both the preparation chamber and SEM cold stages are displayed and can be expanded to fill the screen. Although many of the key steps in the specimen preparation process are automated (airlock pumping, sublimation, sputter coating, etc), further help is instantly available through user-friendly videos. These guide the operator through the system set-up and then each specimen processing step in a concise and logical way.

Handling and transferring specimens

The PP3000T Prepdek™ workstation is fitted with a slushy nitrogen freezing station, connected to the pumping system. Rapid freezing reduces ice crystal damage, which results in improved ultra-structural preservation.

For handling pre-frozen material, the Prepdek™ is also fitted with the Advanced Specimen Handling System, which allows specimens that have been frozen by alternative freezing methods (or stored field specimens) to be manipulated in liquid nitrogen and then transferred under vacuum into the PP3000T preparation chamber for subsequent processing and observation.

The vacuum transfer device is compact, vacuum tight and has a convenient bayonet connection to the specimen shuttle to ensure rapid transfer. In line with the automatic design of the PP3000T, when the vacuum transfer device is located on the preparation chamber, the airlock is automatically pumped.

The PP3000T is supplied with universal 10mm specimen stubs with surface slots, holes and a flat area - useful for most specimen types, because the holes and slots can be used for liquids and to hold solid material for cross-section fracturing. Blank stubs are also included. A range of optional holders are available, including shuttles for large specimens and top-loading holders for high pressure freezing rivets and planchettes.

Cryo preparation chamber

The PP3000T preparation chamber is connected directly to the SEM and includes facilities for preparing all types of specimens. Specimen stage cooling is by an integral liquid nitrogen dewar which has an all-day run time on a single fill (0.75L) of liquid nitrogen. The cold stage is connected directly to the dewar and includes an integrated heater and sensor to precisely control the temperature from -190°C to over 50°C. Comprehensive cold traps surround the cold stage.

High visibility

The PP3000T has superb chamber visibility. In addition to the large front window there are additional top and side windows. The specimen stage is lit by four LEDS, which avoids the problem of the fracturing knife ‘shadowing’ the specimen during cryo fracturing.

A chamberscope allows the specimen stage to be viewed on the control touch screen. Twin manipulators (actively cooled) allow a range of specimen types to be fractured.

Automatic sublimation and sputtering

Sublimation and sputtering are fully automatic. The high resolution sputter coater is specifically designed for cryo applications and will give fine grain films that are essential for FE-SEM applications. A platinum (Pt) target is fitted as standard; other metals include gold (Au), gold/palladium (Au/Pd), chromium (Cr) and iridium (Ir). An optional carbon fibre evaporation head can be fitted.

Cryo preparation chamber pumping

The preparation chamber is pumped by a remotely-positioned 70L/s turbomolecular pumping system. Typical preparation chamber vacuums during operation are in the region of 10-6mbar or better. Positioning the turbomolecular pump away from the SEM ensures total elimination of mechanical vibration and significantly reduces the cryo system mass that is connected to the SEM. A vacuum buffer tank allows the rotary pump to be automatically switched off for most of the time. The pumping system is connected to the preparation chamber by flexible stainless-steel bellows.

SEM cold stage, cold trap and cooling system

A highly stable, thermally isolated, liquid nitrogen gas-cooled stage attaches to the SEM stage. The SEM stage and cold trap are cooled by two separate cold gas circuits - both capable of reaching temperatures down to -192°C. This configuration allows the operator to select stage and cold trap temperatures that are optimised for specific specimens. For example, for some non-biological materials it is useful to hold the specimen at very low temperatures - a cold stage temperature of -175°C and a cold trap temperature of -192°C.

Off-column cooling

The cold nitrogen gas-cooling dewar for the SEM stage and cold trap is remotely positioned (typically on the floor behind the SEM). The system will run for up to 24 hours between fills.

Additional Information

Specifications

Cryo preparation chamber (column-mounted).
Standard?
Built-in liquid nitrogen cooling dewar with an eight-hour run time between fills Yes
Two integral gate valves (loading and SEM) with appropriate electrical interlocks. Air lock pumping is automatically activated when the specimen transfer device is attached Yes
Variable temperature conduction cooled specimen stage (-185°C to 50°C) Yes
Cold stage ‘parking space’ for a second specimen shuttle (allows a second specimen to be prepared in advance) Yes
Large anti-contaminator (cold trap) plates above and below cold stage Yes
Robust micrometer-fed fracturing knife (actively cooled) Yes
Side-mounted surface knife/probe (actively cooled). A range of scalpel blades can be fitted to suit different specimen requirements Yes
Automatic sublimation (controlled and viewed on the touch screen) Yes
Fully automatic, high resolution sputter coater with platinum (Pt) target. (Other targets, including gold (Au), gold/palladium (Au/Pd), chromium (Cr) and iridium (Ir), are available as options.) Sputtering controlled and viewed on the user touch screen Yes
High purity argon gas canister (1L) Yes
Carbon fibre evaporation head and power supply Option
Large front viewing window (138 x 73mm) plus top and side viewing ports Yes
Preparation chamber camera (chamberscope) mounted on a side port Yes
Chamberscope viewing port shutter - automatically closes during sputtering to ensure the port window is clear of sputtered material Yes
Vacuum transfer device Yes
Chamber illumination - four LEDs Yes
Pumping system and controls
Remotely-mounted turbomolecular-pumping system (70L/s). Includes: anti-vibration base, vacuum buffer tank, vacuum valves and stainless-steel bellows connection to the preparation chamber. Typical preparation chamber vacuum: 10-6mbar Yes
Single 90L/m rotary pump required Order separately
SEM cooling dewar, SEM cold stage and cold trap (anticontaminator)
Gas-cooled nitrogen cold stage assembly (-192°C to 50°C). Temperature stability of > 1°C Yes
Separate gas-cooling circuits for SEM stage and SEM anti-contaminator Yes
CHE2000 12L capacity, off-column cooling dewar with run time between fills of up to 24 hours Yes
SEM chamberscope - viewed on the system control screen Yes
LED lighting (interlocked) Yes
System control and specimen handling

Control via a colour user touch screen monitor (300mm/12”) mounted on the Prepdek®

  • Multi-ability user interface screen (expert/novice)
  • Quick, easy overview of system status
  • User-definable ‘recipes’ can be stored
  • Quick access to videos outlining preparation techniques and system maintenance
  • Fully automatic sputtering
  • Automatic sublimation
  • Quick, easy overview of system status
  • CCD camera image of preparation chamber and microscope chamber
Yes
Twin liquid nitrogen slushing and specimen handling system - ideal for handling pre-frozen specimens. Mounted on the Prepdek® Yes
System electronics stored in a ventilated, sealed unit under the Prepdek® Yes
Specimen shuttles (x2). E7449-9 multi-specimen stubs (pack of 10) and E7402 blank aluminium (Al) stubs (pack of 10). Other shuttles and stubs available - see Ordering Information Yes
Installation and training
Installation and training at the customer site Contact EMS
Support and other information
Comprehensive start-up kit with key spares Yes
Three-year warranty  Yes
SEM column interfaces and SEM stage adaptor (tailored to each microscope) Yes
Some options and accessories (see Ordering Information for full list)
Terminating film thickness monitor (FTM) Option
Self-pressurising LN2 dewar and regulator (for storage and venting) Option
Carbon fibre evaporation head Option
Wide range of specimen holders and specimen stubs Option

Ordering Information

NB: For a full quotation, including on-site installation and customer training, please contact us.

PP3000T Cryo-SEM preparation system for SEM, FE-SEM and DualBeam applications. Including: column-mounted cryo-preparation chamber with off-column turbo pumping system. SEM cold stage and cold trap, PrepdekTM workstation with dual freezing and specimen manipulation facilities, touch screen user interface mounted on the PrepdekTM workstation. Transfer device, 2 x AL200077B and 1 x 10246 specimen shuttles, E7449-5 and E7402 specimen stubs. Microscope interfaces, start-up kit and operation manual POR Quote
Pumping

The PP3000T requires one 90L/m rotary pump (dry pumps available on request).

91005 RV5 90L/m 115/230V 50/60Hz rotary vacuum pump with oil mist filter 2,566.00 Quote
Options and accessories
PP7450 Pressurised dewar (30L) for LN2 storage and venting gas supply POR Quote
10998 Carbon fibre evaporation head including 1m high purity carbon fibre  POR Quote
10999 Film thickness monitor (FTM) POR Quote
Specimen holders
10245 Top-loading specimen shuttle for planchettes POR Quote
10246 Top-loading specimen shuttle, to take a 10mm stub  POR Quote
10247 Top-loading specimen shuttle for rivets (vice style)  POR Quote
E7433 Rivet holder specimen stub, screw-down style (for use with 10246) POR Quote
E7449-5 Universal specimen stub with surface holes and slots (pack of 5) POR Quote
E7401 Specimen stub shuttle (spare)  POR Quote
E7402 Aluminum (Al) stubs (pack of 10)  POR Quote
E7403 Copper (Cu) stubs (pack of 10)  POR Quote
E7405 Screw down stub for thin, hard specimens  POR Quote
E7406 Copper (Cu) stubs with 3 x 3mm slots (pack of 5)  POR Quote
E7407 Copper (Cu) stubs with 1 x 3mm slot (pack of 5)  POR Quote
32816510 Brass rivets for fracturing liquids (pack of 100) POR Quote
Sputter targets
E7400-314A Gold (Au) target 0.008” thick  POR Quote
E7400-314B Gold/palladium (Au/Pd) (80:20) target 0.2mm thick  POR Quote
E7400-314C Platinum (Pt) target 0.008” thick  POR Quote
E7400-314IR Iridium (Ir) target 0.008” thick  POR Quote
E7400-314CR Chromium (Cr) target 0.3mm thick  POR Quote

arrow14EMS 1250 Cryogenic Preparation System

Ordering Information

E7400-314A Gold (Au) target 0.008” thick  POR Quote
92001 Trolley POR Quote
92020 Gold Target POR Quote
92021 Gold/Palladium Target POR Quote
92022 Specimen Stub POR Quote
92023 Fracture Rivets 10/pack $25.00 Add to Cart

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