PP3010T Cryo-SEM Preparation System
Quick Overview
The PP3010T 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 PP3010T has all the facilities needed to rapidly freeze, process 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. Specimen process times are typically between five and ten minutes.
Key Features
- High resolution performance
- Large 'recipe' driven touch screen interface
- Easy to use - extensive automation, on-screen help, videos, data logging and diagnostics
- Column-mounted preparation chamber - essential for frost-free transfer and ease of use
- Cold stage temperature down to -190°C, plus comprehensive cold trapping (not possible with conduction cooling)
- 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 - twenty-four hour hold time with a single fill of liquid nitrogen, allowing unattended overnight operation
- Automated start up, sublimation, and coating
- Fully compatible with SEM beam deceleration/stage bias modes up to 5kV
- Vacuum storage of the cryo transfer device; integrated valves enhances performance
- Typical vacuum when cold: 10-6mbar or better - specimen transfer into the SEM always high vacuum to vacuum
- Twin liquid nitrogen slushing and specimen handling system for pre-frozen specimens
- Fracturing/specimen manipulation device
- Prepdek™ workstation - self contained work area, extra bench space not required
- Specialized support backed up with a three-year warranty
Product Description
The PP3010T is a great leap forward in cryo-SEM technology. It combines the highest quality results with unparalleled ease of use.
The PP3010T 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. CCD camera 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 PP3010T 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 Prepdek™ workstation has been designed to allow specimen mounting, freezing (and pre-frozen specimen manipulation) and transfer device storage on one ergonomically designed work surface. The control electronics are mounted in a sealed, but accessible, cabinet beneath the Prepdek™. A flexible LED light gives the user an excellent view of the preparation process.
Conveniently set into the Prepdek™ works surface is a pumped storage tube and allows the cryo transfer device to be stored under clean, dry vacuum conditions when not in use.
A variable position specimen shuttle mounting pillar gives a solid base for specimen mounting and includes a height gauge to ensure specimens are within the acceptable height range.
The control PC is mounted on a flexible arm and can be positioned to suit the user (eg angled towards the SEM operator during specimen observation - allowing key system parameters to be viewed at a glance).
The PP3010T is controlled using a 15" 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 analog or digital vacuum measurements.
CCD camera 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 PP3010T 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 PP3010T 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 PP3010T, when the vacuum transfer device is located on the preparation chamber, the airlock is automatically pumped.
The PP3010T 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 PP3010T preparation chamber is connected directly to the SEM and includes facilities for preparing all types of specimens. The chamber is fitted with two fully integrated and interlocked gate valves. The outer load-lock valve includes a pumped airlock which accepts the cryo transfer device; the inner SEM valve ensures rapid high-vacuum to high-vacuum specimen exchange.
Specimen stage cooling is by an integral liquid nitrogen dewar which has an all-day run time (up to 24 hours) on a single fill (0.75L) of liquid nitrogen. The stage has a dovetail fitting to accept a cryo shuttle and specimen and can be precisely controlled over a temperature range from 100°C to -190°C or lower. Large gas cooled cold traps located above and below the specimen stage ensure clean, high vacuum conditions in the chamber.
High visibility
The PP3010T has superb chamber visibility. In addition to the large front window there are additional top and side windows. The specimen stage is lit by three LEDS, which avoids the problem of the fracturing knife ‘shadowing’ the specimen during cryo fracturing.
A CCD camera allows the specimen stage to be viewed on the control touch screen. Twin manipulators (actively cooled) are available and allow a range of specimen types to be fractured.
The PP33010T is fitted as standard with a front mounted fracturing/manipulation device. The ball-jointed mount offers flexible movement of the blade and allows the no.5 scalpel to be used both as a surface pick (probe) and a fracturing knife. Alternative blades can be fitted (not supplied).
An optional micrometer advanced fracturing tool (12145) is available (in addition to the standard side-mounted tool).
Fractured fragments are captured in the large cold trap located below the specimen stage.
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.
An optional terminating film thickness monitor (FTM) is available. The system is fully integrated – no external control boxes.
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.
A 1.389L/s rotary vacuum pump is required to "back" the turbomolecular pump and for slushing and rough pumping operations. The rotary pump can be located up to five metres from the system, allowing remote location if required. Dry pumping alternatives are available.
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 -190°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 -190°C.
The SEM cold stage has a temperature range of +100°C to -190°C and a temperature stability of < 1°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 a twenty-four 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) | Option |
| 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 (CCD) mounted on a side port | Yes |
| Viewing port shutter - automatically closes during sputtering to ensure the port window is clear of sputtered material | Yes |
| Vacuum transfer device | Yes |
| Chamber illumination - three 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 (-190°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 CCD camera- viewed on the system control screen | Yes |
| LED lighting (interlocked) | Yes |
System control and specimen handling
Control via a colour user touch screen monitor (15”) 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.
| PP3010T | Cryo-SEM preparation system for SEM, FE-SEM and FIB/SEM 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, automatic sputtering and sublimation. 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, mounting media and operation manual | POR | Quote |
Pumping
The PP3010T 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 | 2,700.00 | Quote |
Options and accessories
| PP7450 | Pressurised dewar (75L) 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 |
| 12145 | Micrometer controlled fracturing device with tool steel blade. Note: the standard ball-joint mounted fracturing tool is fitted as standard. The 12145 can be fitted in addition | POR | Quote |
| 13061 | Two-years spares/consumables kit | 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 and carbon fibre
| 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 |
| 91047-1 | Carbon fiber cord - high purity - 1m | 82.00 | Add to Cart |
| 91047-5 | Carbon fiber cord - high purity - 5m | 375.00 | Add to Cart |
