---

XL30 ESEM Operation for Wide Field ESEM mode

1. Turn on the computer and monitor if not started for you.



2. Log on to the computer with your login name and password.
3. Double click on MICROSCOPE CONTROL icon, wait ~2mins for software to load.
4. Fill out log book at start with name, date, time, etc
5. Click on vacuum panel, select VENT, wait for chamber to pressurize.
6. Large Field Detector
Get an EML staff person to insert Large field detector PCB by sliding into connector.

7. Insterting specimen:

Insert specimen into pin mount and tighten with allen key
Raise the external Z to its highest position using the black knob on the outside of the microscope. Put height adjuster on base of stage. Bring the highest point on the specimen to the 2mm position on the height adjuster by turning the internal screw of the specimen holder. Lock this position with the locking cone at the base of the holder. Use the external Z control (black knob outside microscope) to lower the specimen's highest point to 10mm height on the height adjuster. Remove the height adjuster. Note, if all your samples are the same height (within ~3mm), then you only need to set the height once for all your samples. Close the door to the chamber.

8. Pump Down:

For Large field detector, close the door to the chamber, select the VACUUM panel, select H2O mode, set presure to 0.1 to 1 torr, open manual valve on back of column for ESEM mode, put on BNC connector on front of microscope, click on PUMP, when pop-up asks for pressure limiting aperture - select NONE/No PLA. Wait till vacuum says "OK".


9. Imaging:

Select spot size and high voltage for the sample and detector you are using from the pull down menus. Click on BEAM panel and click the high voltage/xKV button to turn on the high voltage and filament. The microscope will ask you to confirm focus to link Z to FWD. Wait for the image of the specimen to appear on the screen, adjusting contrast -brightness-magnification if necessary. Focus on the specimen by right clicking and dragging the mouse. Once focused, click on the confirm focus to FWD button. Under the Beam Settings Menus, Click align gun, wait until align gun popup disappears. Adjust contrast/brightness using sliders. Adjust stigmation under imaging control panel. To move the stage, click the track mode button, and then left click on the image in the direction you'd like to move. To save the image, select under the filter menu - high definition. Select slow scan 3 (at least) under the scan menu. Freeze the image when desired using the freeze button. Under the In/Out menu, select image, give it a filename (8 characters only), click on save. To get out of the captured/frozen image, click the freeze button again.


10. Changing samples:

Turn off High Tension by clicking on the Beam panel and clicking the XkV button (should be greyed out when off). On the Vacuum panel, click on Vent (click on 'OK' when asked). Wait for microscope to pressurize (~3 minutes). Open stage, loosen sample using allen key, and remove sample. Go to insert specimen procedure above. When height is set correctly and detector is inserted, go to Pump down step above.


11. Shutdown:

Turn off High Tension by clicking on the Beam panel and clicking the XkV button (should be greyed out when off). On the Vacuum panel, click on Vent (say yes when asked). Wait for microscope to pressurize (~3 minutes). Open stage, loosen sample using allen key, and remove sample. Close chamber, get an EML staff person to remove the large field detector, set the manual valve to HIVAC mode, remove BNC connector, set microscope to HIVAC mode and select pump. Complete the Log book entry.