FE-SEM Specimen Types

NOTE: To obtain the highest resolution images:

  • Remove the liquid nitrogen funnel
  • Turn off the air conditioner unit
  • Set the Stage Lock (you CANNOT change the working distance while the stage lock is in)
  • Avoid moving and talking in the room
Specimen Type Voltage WD Tilt Column Setup Condenser Lens 1 Coating
Polymer/Biological ≤ 2 kV 8–12 mm ≤ 45° lower detector
Normal mode
1–5* Do not coat
Semiconducting ≤ 2 kV varies upper detector
UHR
1–8
Nanostructural ≤ 2 kV ≤ 3 mm upper detector
UHR
5–8 Do not coat

*For biological specimens, use between 1 and 5 for Cond. Lens 1 to increase signal. Use a lower emission current and do not coat the sample (depending on the size of the structures you want to image).

To adjust to a small working distance with specimens of little surface topography:

  1. Load the sample at the home position of 12 mm.
  2. Perform all alignments, especially low magnification alignment, and focus.
  3. In the Column SetUp menu, select the desired working distance.
  4. Change the stage position. Be sure to watch the chamber camera screen and for the image to come into focus again on the computer screen.
  5. Use the focus knobs to completely bring the image into focus and perform necessary alignments.

Microanalysis