PP3000T Cryo-SEM Preparation System
(side view - as seen during specimen exchange). NB: micrometer-driven fracturing tool (right) and flexible knife/manipulator (left), both actively cooled.
Image shows cryo preparation chamber cold stage and fracturing tools
Tailor-made to suit each SEM
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®
|
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 |
EMS 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 |