Updates from the Electron Microscope Facility
REMF home page.
May 16, 2012.
JEOL 1010 back on line, but over night power outage has all microscopes down for at least morning of May 16.
CPD
May 1, 2012.
The JEOL 1010 TEM is down. The specimen holder was incorrectly inserted resulting a vacuum loss and catastrophic shut down. We are not able to get the machine going. JEOL technical service has been contacted to try to determine the nature of the problem.
CPD
February 7, 2012.
XL-30 service did not resolve vacuum problem. It appears that there is either a fault in one of the vacuum control boards, or a sensor problem. Adjusting the air pressure may have helped. Further investigation is in progress. In the short term we will have to manually clear the errors and reset the vacuum if the error on vent occurs.
CPD
February 2, 2012.
Service on the XL-30 on Feb. 6 to resolve a recurring vacuum error.
CPD
Novermber 30, 2011.
The EDAX X-ray detector is back in service.
CPD
November 10, 2011.
The EBSD system is back in service. The new screen has already been damaged. I will replace it if it interferes with operations.
The X-ray detector has been repaired and is in line for testing and should be back in a week or two.
CPD
October 24, 2011.
The SEM will be out of service until Wednesday, Oct. 26. A new FEG emitter is being installed, and a chamber vacuum issue is being addressed.
CPD
October 5, 2011.
The XL-30 now appears to be okay. Yesterday the upper IGP showed a bad vacuum. Today it is fine and the microscope seems to work well.
CPD.
October 4, 2011.
The XL-30 SEM is down due to an excessive pressure in the upper IGP. A bake out will be done on 10-05-11.
CPD.
September 29, 2011.
The screen on the Nordlys EBSD detector has been scratched and needs to be replaced. Parts have been ordered, but will take two to three weeks to arrive.
CPD.
August 30, 2011.
The microscopes are all back up. If you need to use the XL-30 at less than 5kv, let me know. We will need to replace the FEG soon, but I would like to delay another month or so, if possible.
CPD.
August 29, 2011.
Power outage over the weekend due to Irene. The Tecnai is back up. The 1010 is on, but wont be available until late Tuesday. The XL-30 is in bake out mod an will, with luck, be ready by noon Tuesday.
CPD.
July 29, 2011.
For the second day in a row there has been a power outage. The Tecnai is back in service. The 1010 is on the way back up, but will probably not be ready until later this afternoon. The XL-30 needs to get the lower IGP to <2x10-7 mBar. If it is not there by noon, I will have to do a short bake out.
CPD
July 20, 2011.
The XL-30 is still down. The problem is getting the IGPs to restart. I think they may be in good shape now, but will not know until the end of the day.
CPD
July 19, 2011.
The bake out failed, so the XL-30 will be out of service until Wednesday at noon at the earliest.
CPD.
July 15, 2011.
The XL-30 requires a bake out over the weekend and Monday. If all goes well it will be back up on Tuesday at noon.
CPD
July 13, 2011.
The power outage has stopped the XL-30. It may not be back on line until late Friday. Other EMs are backup, or on the way back.
CPD
June 17, 2011.
The JEOL 1010 TEM has a loaner goniometer while ours is being repaired. Check with Louisa regarding status.
The XL-30 SEM has a cracked BSE detector diode. The A half is still operational. On flat samples it should be fine. A new diode will be ordered in July.
CPD
May 23, 2011.
Planned service for both the XL-30 and Tecnai. XL-30 service planned for June 9 and 10.
Tecnai routine service planned for May 26 and 27.
CPD
May 23, 2011.
The XL-30 is back in service. There was a bad start capacitor.
The Tecnai has a stuck airlock. It is not possible to put a holder into the column. Service is scheduled for Tuesday.
CPD
May 19, 2011.
The SEM is down due to a broken water chiller. I hope to have it back in service sometime tomorrow.
CPD
May 10, 2011.
The SEM is back in operation - has been since last week. Routine service due in early June.
CPD
May 2, 2011.
The column isolation valve was dirty. It has been cleaned. Now we are baking the column. Tuesday morning I will see if the vacuum holds on venting. If so, we are back in business. If not, we'll have to open the column again and clean out the lower section.
CPD
April 29, 2011.
After several bakes outs of the IGPs, the status of the microscope is that the FEG is OK. There appears to be a leak in the column isolation valve. On venting the lower IGP pressure goes from ~3.5x10-8mBar to ~1.7x10-7mBar. When pumping down, the vacuum returns to the 10-8mBar range. Monday we will have service to clean the isolation valve. At that time a new scintillator will also be installed. This should improve secondary electron signal strength. With luck, we'll be back in operation by the end of the day Monday.
CPD
April 26, 2011.
The XL-30 SEM is down. There is a higher than normal vacuum reading in the upper IGP. This is either due to contamination in the coulomb tube that is outgassing, or a damaged FEG. In either case we need a service call. As I know more, I will post new updates.
CPD
February 16, 2011.
The XL-30 SEM will have a service call to fix the LV mode pump failure. This should be a one day fix. Other modes (HV) are fine.
CPD
January 24, 2011.
The BSE detector is back in service.
CPD
January 21, 2011.
The BSE detector on the XL-30 is broken. It appears to be wires that have been pulled loose. It should be repaired Monday, Jan. 24. Please use care when installing and removing.
CPD
January 7, 2011.
There will be yet another planned power outage on Monday, Jan. 10 from 7:30 to 8:00 am. The microscopes will take some time to get back up. They have been reserved until noon. Check the schedule to see if they are back sooner.
CPD.
November 15, 2010.
There will be a power outage Tuesday, 11-16-2010 starting at 7am. The E. M. Facility will shut down the machines by 5pm on 11-15-2010. Instruments should be back up by late afternoon on 11-16, if all goes well.
CPD.
November 8, 2010.
A new screen has been installed in the EBSP detector. A cover is being made that needs to be put over the port to the EBSP detector when it is not in use.
CPD
November 8, 2010.
XL-30 SEM is back to having a 30 micron aperture as the default.
CPD
October 20, 2010.
The FEG on the Tecnai will be replaced the week of November 1. The microscope should be down for the entire week. The beam is somewhat unstable at the moment, so critical work should be done after the new FEG is installed.
CPD
October 18, 2010.
A new 40 micron aperture has been placed in the XL-30 SEM. For most users this should be the aperture of choice. For lithography, it will roughly double the probe current of the 30 micron aperture. If you experience any problems, please let me know. If you need to do very high resolution imaging, or are working with beam sensitive specimens, you may want to use the 30 micron aperture. Probe currents for both the 30 and 40 micron apertures at 20KV are listed here http://remf.dartmouth.edu:8080/NPGS/2.
CPD
October 18, 2010.
The NSIV controller has been sent back to Veeco (now Bruker) for repairs.
CPD
September 2, 2010.
We have ordered and received the parts to be replaced in the NanoScope IV controller. The repair will take about a week, since there are surface mount components that have to be replaced. With luck we will be back in business in about 7-10 days.
CPD
August 20, 2010.
The current thought on the AFM trouble is that the DSP chip, or an associated op-amp, is burned out. I will order new parts when I get the parts list. Then we'll see if I can swap out the correct part. With a bit of luck it will be operational by the end of next week.
CPD
August 17, 2010.
I am trying to figure out the current problem with the AFM. So far I have received and replaced the back board of the 3100 with no change in operation. I will try plugging in the MultiMode to see if the controller is even reading the signals from the AFM head. If it is, then I will have to return the loaner board, our board and the Dimension AFM head for testing and repair. If the controller is not reading thengs it will either have to go in for repairs, or I will have to try swapping out boards from Veeco. I will keep you posted.
CPD
August 12, 2010.
More problems with the AFM. Now it appears there is a failed board in the Nanoscope controller. A loaner board is on its way. With luck that will fix things and we will be back in service.
CPD
August 10, 2010.
The double tilt holder has to be sent off for repairs.
CPD
July 27, 2010.
The double tilt holder for the Tecnai is generating a tracking error. FEI service thinks it may be a stuck potentiometer in the holder, but it is not something I can fix. We will have a service call to determine the actual problem. I will keep you posted.
CPD
July 15, 2010.
At last the AFM is back in service. The new computer is set to go. Old data files and workspaces have been restored. Please see me prior to use.
CPD
July 1, 2010.
Revised rates are in effect as of today. See the Fees page on this site or for a full listing see the E. M. Facility Service Catalogue page in the NCCC Core Operations web site.
XL-30 internal rate is now $40 per hour. The outside rate is $280 per hour with operator.
TEM time is now $45 per hour internal rate, $280 per hour outside rate.
technician time is now $48 per hour internal rate, $150 per hour external rate.
CPD
June 7, 2010.
A replacement computer for the AFM is scheduled to ship from Santa Barbara on June 17. As soon as it arrives I will set it up.
CPD
June 4, 2010.
The BSE detector is back in service. Please be careful installing and removing the detector. The spring clips must not be unsprung!
CPD
May 17,2010.
A replacement diode for the BSE detector is scheduled to be delivered by late June.
CPD
May 10, 2010.
The BSE detector on the XL-30 is broken. Until I can find a replacement, we will be without this imaging mode.
CPD
May 5, 2010.
The XL-30 is back in service. We have made a couple of changes to the system. The XL-30 computer is no longer connected to the network. It is directly connected to the HKl computer (switch A on the KVM switch). There is a shared folder there into which all image data must be saved. When you export images from the database you need to create a folder on the shared volume. The HKL computer is connected to the network through a second ethernet card. Move files with WinSCP as before. If you have trouble, let me know.
CPD
May 4, 2010.
The XL-30, which has been having some computer issues (magenta screen, freezes, etc.) has now given up the ghost. It may just be a bad power supply. We'll try to get things back on line as soon as possible. The service engineer will be here tomorrow morning. The good news is that it is clearly just the computer, not the microscope. Check here for updates.
CPD
April 28, 2010.
There is continuing trouble with the AFM. The latest view from Veeco is that the comnputer needs new memory. I am not sure this is the problem, but I will replace the memory and see how it goes. If this does not fix the problem it will cost about $5,500 to get a new computer from Veeco set up to operate the controller. That is a lot for a computer, but it is because they have a supply of the now antiquated systems needed to use their boards and software. I have looked into getting a cmputer directly, but it is hard to find the correct configuration (and Veeco is not great about giving specifications - the ISA bus needed for their custom DSP board is one problem). An additional problem is that I have no funds to replace the computer. If it need to be replaced, I will come to you hat in hand. A final problem is that I think there may be a problem with the scanner itself, although I cannot be sure of this until the computer is back in service.
CPD
April 15, 2010.
The AFM is back in service, but with some changes in software.The AFM is back in service, but with a few changes. For some reason the version
6 software will not run. You will need to use version 5. There is a shortcut to
it on the desktop calles SPM. All of the functions are still present, but in
different places. Please see me for instructions, if you need them. There is now
one capture folder on the D drive. After capturing, either move your images to a
separate folder of your own, or delete after transferring.
To tranfer files you must use the psftp.exe program from its short cut on the
desktop.
Do the following:
1. type "open remf.dartmouth.edu"
2. log in as em lab with password micronx
3. Go to your folder on the server by typing "cd /Volumes/Mongo/public/your
folder/"
4. Move files by typing"mput D:\capture\your folder\*.*" If you named the files
with a root name you could type "rootname.*" to transfer just those files. The
files will be listed as they are moved.
5. Type "exit"
Note that BlitzMail is not on the computer. Please do not place a copy there.
CPD
April 5, 2010.
A new copy of frame grabber board drivers is on its way. That should fix our problems and give us a backup of the drivers.
CPD
March 30, 2010.
The AFM is down due to a problem initializing the stage. This is a software problem. We are working with Veeco to resolve the trouble.
The XL-30 will have routine service on April 8 and 9. Please plan accordingly.
CPD
March 22, 2010.
XL-30 service cancelled. Will be rescheduled in the next few weeks.
CPD
March 2, 2010.
The JEM 1010, the XL-30 and the JSM5310 will all have routine service during the inter-session period March . Please consult the schedules for details. We have reserved three or more days for the service. If service is finished early, time will be released. Please plan ahead.
CPD
December 22, 2009.
The E. M. facility will be closed during the college winter break, 12-24-09 through 01-03-10. We will open again on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. Please note that even if you come in to use the instruments, there will be no liquid Nitrogen for cold traps. The X-ray detectors will be at room temperature during the break in our annual drying out period. This will prevent water and ice accumulation in the detectors.
CPD
November 24, 2009.
The JEOL 1010 is back in service.
CPD
November 13, 2009.
New pump and valve have arrived and been installed. The water is flowing, but the TEM is still down. We have a service call to reset the HV and other boards in the microscope. The 1010 will probably not be up before Tuesday of Wednesday.
CPD
November 12, 2009.
The JEOL JEM 1010 TEM is down due to a failed water pump. Parts have been ordered and should arrive Friday. With luck we will have it back on line by Monday afternoon.
CPD
November 2, 2009.
The Tecnai has a water leak in the manifold stand. This causes the chiller to lose water and eventually shut down, not to mention is inherently unsafe. The repair Tuesday should be quick. A new fitting needs to be installed to replace the leaking one.
CPD
September 28, 2009.
The wires to the heater and thermocouple on the Gatan C1002 cold stage have broken. Both items need to be replaced. An order is in, but will take several weeks to be filled.
CPD
September 8, 2009.
The XL-30 FEG tip change went well. Imaging is excellent. Only current problem is getting rid of a virus from the control computer. For image transfer it is essential that only SFTP or burning a CD be used. Do not mount remote disks or file sharing folders.
CPD
August 27, 2009.
The XL-30 SEM will have the FEG tip changed on September 3 and 4. This will require an overnight bakeout and re-alignment the next day. If all goes well the SEM should be back inservice by the evening of 9-4-09.
CPD
August 11, 2009.
All instruments are back in working order.
CPD
August 10, 2009.
XL-30 computer is down. Hard drive is dead. A new unit is on order and should arrive tomorrow morning. Check back for updates.
CPD
August 7, 2009.
The XL-30 high definition image acquisition is back in service. The cable to the frame grabber was not mating properly.
The cold stage heater wires have broken and need to be repaired. Out of service until next week.
CPD
August 5, 2009.
The new cable for the HD images did not fix the problem. A service call has been scheduled for Friday, August 6.
There was a blue screen of death on the HKL computer this morning. After several restarts in safe mode and a full diagnostic test, it appears to be working. If the blue screen occurs again the unit will go in for repairs.
CPD
July 31, 2009.
XL-30 HD image capture does not work. New cable on order.
CPD
March 18, 2009.
The Dimension 3100 AFM is down for a piezo tube repair. No sign ups will be allowed until it is back in service. The estimate for repair and return is two weeks from the time Veeco receives the unit. It may be less than this.
CPD
December 19, 2008.
A new series of snowflake images have been placed on the page.
The BSE detector has been replaced, and the EDS system is back in service.
The lab will be closed during winter break.
CPD
March 13, 2008.
EMFUG Luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15 at the Inn.
The X-ray detector on the XL-30 has a pinhole leak and has been removed for repairs. I am not sure how long it will be gone, but will update you when I know.
We are also still trying to resolve vibration problems with the microscope. You may not have noticed the problem if you have not tried to do high resolution imaging. There are a couple of potential solutions. We may need a new stage, but it may also just be a problem with some components. If mechanical problems with the stage are ruled out, we'll have to have a new site survey to see if new fields or vibrations have developed since installation of the microscope.
For lithography, imaging and EBSD there should be no problems.
CPD
February 28, 2008.
The XL-30 appears to have blown another aperture. We are trying to clean some old aperture strips, and are arranging to either obtain a disk aperture holder or machine one. We will also be getting a new control computer for the XL-30 to resolve some of the freezes and magenta screen issues.
CPD
February 11, 2008.
We are in the middle of a FEG change today through Wednesday noon. Also being addressed are problems with the stage and an overheating computer (due to fan problems).
CPD
July 25, 2007.
This from Facilities:
On August 2, 2007 Dartmouth College will start the construction of a underground utility corridor on the North Campus.
During the week of August 6 and 13, the Contractor will start the installation
of three (3) steam utility manholes located adjacent Kellogg Hall, at the
northeast corner of the Building 37 parking lot and near the entrance into the
Dewey Field Parking Lot.
This will certainly cause some vibrations.
December 6, 2006.
This from DMS Facilities regarding the pile driving:
From: Jon Rader
DMS - Facilities
Date: December 6, 2006
Subj: Construction Project - Level 1 Vail
I have been in contact with the general contractor for the Vail Electrical project trying to work blocks of time when the pile driving work could be shutdown so you could use your scopes. The best that I can do is to have the driving work shut down at 3:30 every afternoon. This schedule will go into effect on Monday, 12/11. The pile driving is suppose to be completed by Friday, 12/15.
Jon Rader
DMS - Facilities
November 20, 2006.
The following note from DMS Facilities outlines some construction activity that will probably generate vibrations in the E. M. Facility. I will try to determine if there will be likely quiet periods.
Chuck
This is what is on tap for the Vail electrical project for the next two weeks.
11/20-11/24:
Contractor will be completing the shifting off the road and sidewalk and the temporary paving on 11/20.
For the remainder of the week, they will be stripping the top soil next to the Remsen building. They are not working on 11/23 or 11/24. The noise/vibrations should be minimal.
11/27-12/1:
The contractor will be bringing in equipment to begin "driving" the sheet pilings needed to complete their excavation. They plan on beginning the actual driving on Tuesday. This process will create a fair amount of noise/vibrations. The entire process is scheduled to be completed by 12/8.
This is all that I have for now. I will keep you posted if anything changes.
Jon Rader
DMS Facilities
July 24, 2006.
For the next three to four weeks there will be construction activity outside the lab that will likely cause vibration problems. Starting Thursday or Friday of this week a trench and vault will be dug from the new dorms down the west side of Remsen. This is for a new power line. That work will take three or four weeks to complete. At the same time, there will be construction on a new road between Gilman and the new dorms. When the vibrating rollers start up, microscopy will be difficult. Please plan accordingly. I will try to keep you updated on the construction.
CPD
July 17, 2006.
Louisa is on vacation through July 21. Kate will be out on vacation from July 24 to August 1. Chuck will be at the Botanical Society of America meeting the week of July 31, and will be on vacation from August 7 through 16.
CPD
July 11, 2006.
A page listing fees has been added to the web site.
We will be having service on the Tecnai on July 12 to correct the persistent problems with the CompuStage. Several electronics boards will be replaced in an effort to fix things.
CPD
December 22, 2005.
Some general notes.
Next week we will have a service call on the Tecnai to correct a persistent stage problem.
January 20-24 we will have service on the SEM to install a new FEG tip, and to tune up the microscope. It will be ready for use at 1 pm Jan. 24, if no problems are encountered.
Thirsday and Friday nights on Jan 5 and 6 we will have floors cleaned in the microscope rooms. Please do not planon using the Facility between 10 pm and 6 am those days.
CPD
September 30, 2005.
After sending out my last message with the signup rules, I realized that I had not told you all of the rules. Not wanting to be accused of using Chicago rules (first rule is don't tell them all of the rules of the game), here is a fuller rule set. I have also modified the rules slightly after discussion with some groups.
Signups more than 7 days in advance will generate a warning, more than 14 days in advance will be rejected.
You may have up to 2 signups in advance as primary user, up to 4 in advance as alternate user. If you signup as an alternate, you should email the primary user so the will know there is an alternate. If you are the primary user and cancel (see below), you should contact the alternate (the program should prompt you to do so).
Cancellations less than 24 hours in advance may result in charges for 1/2 the normal charge, unless there is a good reason. Contact me and plead your case. I will be judge of what is a good reason.
In addition to these rules, on the SEM we need to keep the noon to 1 pm slot open for users who need to only check specimens, so do not schedule over this time (10-2 pm, for example) unless you check with me and convince me it is essential.
If the rules cause problems, let me know. They are a work in progress, and are intended to encourage efficient use of the instruments for many users. I am trying to get the scheduling program modified so each instrument can have its own set of rules, but for now all rules apply to all instruments.
CPD
September 26, 2005.
The online scheduling system will switch to hard enforcement of scheduling rules starting today. All violations will result in rejection of the attempted scheduling. The rules are:
Minimum time = 0.5 hours;
Maximum time = 4 hours - more than this will generate a warning.
Reservations more than 16 hours will be rejected.
Reservations more than 8 days in advance will generate a warning.
Reservations more than 15 days in advance will be rejected.
Accounts will expire after 120 days of inactivity. Contact the Director to re-activate accounts.
If the rules need to be relaxed for you, contact the Director and plead your case.
CPD
August 10, 2005.
I will be away on vacation from 8-11 until 8-29. If you need microscopy help, please contact either Louisa Howard or Kate Connolly.
CPD
July 19, 2005.
A power outage last night shut down the REMF server and several microscopes. The XL-30 stayed on, due to its backup power supplies. The Tecnai and the 1010 both shut down. The Tecnai has fully recovered, although we are waiting for the vacuum to improve with the holder in place. The 1010 is still pumping (its is almost there after 4 hours), and will be back up before the end of the day.
CPD
May 18, 2005.
This from the dorm project.
Dear McLaughlin Cluster Neighbors,
I am pleased to inform you that piledriving operations have finished, as of 11:30AM this morning. I can assure you that everyone is relieved to have that portion of the construction completed.
Sincerely,
Andrew Ager
CPD
April 28, 2005.
You may have noticed that the url for the EM Facility web site has changed. It is now http://www.dartmouth.edu/~emlab. Gone is ~emczar. Please change bookmarks . A redirect will be active for a short while.
CPD
April 26, 2005.
The online resource scheduling system is now active. Authorized users may now sign up for instruments using a web interface. Other users may check the schedule and request a session with Facility staff. Go to the Online Resource Scheduler now.
CPD
March 16, 2005.
There is a construction update web site.
I suggest you check it, rather than having me repeat what they post. Regardless of the scheduled activity, plan on intermittent vibrations, sometimes severe. AFM does not appear to be affected. All other lab activities will suffer, some worse thanothers.
CPD