Overview

The Coolstage is a Peltier-driven SEM cooling stage for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low vacuum (LV) or variable pressure (VP) applications. The stage can be cooled to sub-zero temperatures for specimens that may be sensitive at ambient temperature, subject to beam damage, or may otherwise 'sublime' (lose water) at ambient temperatures.

There are three versions of Coolstage - Standard, Enhanced and Ultra - to cover differing specimen requirements.

Features - Standard Coolstage

• Temperature range -30°C to +50°C at 300Pa
• Self contained cooling - no additional external cooling water needed
• Temperature accuracy +/- 1.5°C or 2% - whichever is greater
• Minimal image drift
• Cooling and heating rates of up to 30°C per minute
• Keypad control - with simultaneous display of actual and target temperature
• Supplied with SEM chamber port feed-though - specify when ordering
• One-year warranty

Features - Enhanced Coolstage

• Temperature range -30°C to +160°C at 300Pa
• All other specifications as per Standard Coolstage

Features - Ultra Coolstage

• Temperature range -50°C to +50°C at 300Pa
• All other specifications as per Standard Coolstage

Product Description

The Coolstage is a temperature-controlled specimen stage that can be fitted to any low vacuum (LV) or variable pressure (VP) scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The Standard Coolstage consists of a single stage Peltier device, onto which a thermally isolated specimen holder and dual temperature sensor is mounted. The Coolstage assembly is mounted onto the SEM stage using an adapter plate specific to the microscope. Cooling pipes and electrical wires connect to the SEM feedthrough flange. External components are a recirculating water chiller and power supply case, and a compact keypad for digital temperature readout and control.

Compact, efficient cooling and temperature control

The temperature range of the Standard Coolstage is -30°C to +50°C at 300Pa. The specimen holder is water-cooled using a small, self-contained closed loop recirculating chiller that is normally positioned approximately 2 m from the SEM. A microprocessor controls and monitors the temperature of the cold stage. A small keypad is used to set the required temperature and display target and current temperatures.

The specimen holder has been designed to minimize image drift due to temperature change, giving a stable image at high magnification. An integrated RS-232 interface allows temperature to be set and read from the SEM.