Well, I had some spare time on my hands these last few days (a bad sign), so I've finally got around to updating the Listserver Search Engine as so many of you have requested.
You can now search the Microscopy Listserver Archives by a specific Month/Year or if you choose for a complete Year at a time. Just go to:
and follow the Listserver Utilies links. Remember searching a full year can take some time and produce a long output page if your not careful with your search parameters.
A minor problem occurs when/if you do a "complete year " search of the older archives. There will be a few anomolies in the output files created as the file format for these very old data files changes alot, and sometimes on a monthly basis. Fixing the formats is ALOT of work, so if you supect problems just do a monthly search.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html -----------------------------------------------------------------------.
Colleagues...
Well, I had some spare time on my hands these last few days (a bad sign), so I've finally got around to updating the Listserver Search Engine as so many of you have requested.
You can now search the Microscopy Listserver Archives by a specific Month/Year or if you choose for a complete Year at a time. Just go to:
and follow the Listserver Utilies links. Remember searching a full year can take some time and produce a long output page if your not careful with your search parameters.
A minor problem occurs when/if you do a "complete year " search of the older archives. There will be a few anomolies in the output files created as the file format for these very old data files changes alot, and sometimes on a monthly basis. Fixing the formats is ALOT of work, so if you supect problems just do a monthly search.
In my daydreaming & contemplating the universe I have come across a question concerning FE guns that may seem like a stupid question to some but I would like a response anyway.
Hitachi series cold FE guns have three elements: the FE tip, the extraction or first anode (the equivalent to a wehnelt cap on conventional SEMs) & the second anode ( the equivalent to the anode on standards SEMs).
Gun activation is done by a microprocessor in the following manner:
1. The FE tip & the first anode is raised to the primary voltage, say -15 KV. 2. The first anode voltage is reduced from the primary voltage in 100 volt increments until the desired emission current is reached: usually 5 to 10 uA. The first anode voltage is nominally reduced from the primary voltage by 3 kv to 6.3 kv depending upon the filament life. In this example say it takes 5 kv to extract the desired 10 uA of emission current, then the filament is at -15 KV while the first anode is at -10 KV. 3. The second anode is at ground potential (0 volts).
I understand the physics behind this as electrons are extracted from the source by the first anode. In this case the electrons are at a -15 KV potential and continue to be accelerated down the column as the second anode is at ground potential. All well & good.
The problem that I have is when the primary voltage is at say -1 kv. Using the same filament and parameters, the filament is at -1 kv while the first anode is at +4 kv. The electrons that are extracted from the filament are at the primary voltage: - 1 kv.
The first anode is now at +4 KV while the second anode is at 0 volts. The electrons that are extracted are now between the first & second anode at a -1 kv potential. It would seem that when electrons are at the - 1 kv potential that they would be attracted to the first anode as the first anode is now at +4 kv. Instead the -1 kv electrons continue down the column in seeming defiance of the laws of physics.
I have measured the voltages in question & I have examined the gun components.
I am sure the laws of physics are intact but there is something that I am missing that can be explained away (Dr. Fred Schamber are you listening?).
Not that this presents an immediate problem but just to satisfy my curiosity.
Folks: I thought I should let you all know about the Fourth Annual Course in Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy to be taught between June 16 and 21st 2002 at the Mount Desert Island Marine Biology Laboratories in Arcadia National Park in Maine. This team taught course led by Dave Piston (Vanderbilt), Mike Nathanson (Yale), Guillermo Romero (Pittsburgh) and myself focusses specifically on the development and application of modern fluorescence microscopic methods. This intensive course covers all aspects of the technology from microscope and dye design, cameras, confocal microscopy, live cell microscopy, multiphoton microscopy and GFP. Considerable attention is also given to quantitative analysis in 2 and 3 dimensions and time. The specific focus of the course allows an in depth treatment of these methods. The goal of the course it to teach students how to best implement these methods within their labs, using either their own cells and tissues or using material supplied by the course. An extensive array instrumentation, provided by all the major microscope and associated software, hardware and camera manufacturers will be available for students to use. For the last 3 years it has been a very successful event and we were encouraged to give the course again. A full description of the course lectures together with lecture outlines, registration etc. is available at http://sbic6.sbic.pitt.edu/microscopy. I would encourage you to spread the word, or sign up if you are interested. The total number of students is limited to 20, it generally fills up pretty early though final enrollment is decided by the course faculty. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me Thanks Simon
------------------------------------------- Simon C. Watkins Ph.D. MRC Path Professor Cell Biology and Physiology Director: Center for Biologic Imaging BSTS 225 3500 Terrace St University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA 15261 Tel: 412-648-3051 Fax: 412-383-8894 URL: http://www.cbi.pitt.edu --------------------------------------------
My name is Richard Muscat and i am currently in my third year of studying biology at Lancaster University, England. My final year dissertation is on microscopes and a number of people recommended this emailing list to me and encouraged to me to try and obtain some information this way.
I understand that most of you on this emailing list will be very busy but if you have any spare time i would really appreciate your views on where you think microscopy is heading in the future.
Thank you very much for your time. Happy new year to all.
Yours sincerly
Richard Muscat
Email: themuscat-at-yahoo.co.uk
Richard Muscat, Lonsdale College, Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancs, LA1 4YU England
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Everything you'll ever need on one web page from News and Sport to Email and Music Charts http://uk.my.yahoo.com
} Happy New Year to everyone! } } We are setting up a totally new EM/LM lab - being built from the ground } up. We have told our engineers that we need to have a vibration-free } environment for optimum equipment operation. They would like to know } exactly what vibration is tolerable and what isn't. Are there any } standards or measurements out there that detail what limits can be } tolerated and what can't? } } Thank you! } } Lesley } } Lesley S. Bechtold } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } The Jackson Laboratory } 600 Main St. } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } 207-288-6191
Lesley S. Bechtold Supervisor, Biological Imaging The Jackson Laboratory 600 Main St. Bar Harbor, ME 04609 207-288-6191
We have recently purchased a “Phoenix” EDAX microanalysis system for our Philips CM200 TEM microscope with a sapphire detector and CDU (Compact Detecting Unit). We are currently waiting for the equipment to arrive.
The distributor of EDAX for Philips microscopes is suggesting now changing the configuration and substituting the CDU unit for a 10-liter Liquid Nitrogen Dewar, maintaining the original price. The reason that they give us for this suggestion is that the nitrogen in the 10-liter detector last longer than in the CDU unit. According to them, neither of these systems needs to have nitrogen when they are not been used.
I would like advising in this matter because we always had thought that the CDU unit had a superior performance.
Many thanks, Julian
___________________ Julian Martinez Fernandez University of Seville Spain
_________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos es la manera más sencilla de compartir, editar e imprimir sus fotos favoritas. http://photos.latam.msn.com/Support/WorldWide.aspx
We have an old (at least 1960's) Wild Heerbrugg Stereomicroscope that needs a new fine focus. The model number is M7 S. The bit that is broken is the rack and pinion with the focusing knob. This part mounts to the microscope stand and the microscope head mounts into it.
Anyone out there know of someone who might have this part or a substitute? The scope is a nice one and we can't afford to replace it right now.
But you may have forgotten that the electrons passing through the hole in Anode 1 each have 5 keV of kinetic energy. As they continue on their merry past the +4 kV electrode, they slow down and this does effect the aberration coefficients of the "electrostatic gun lens".
However, they reach Anode 2 before they slow down completely. In fact they still have 1 keV of kinetic energy at this point and are now able to zip down the column in a beam along the axis. The gun lens will bring this beam to a focus at some point along the axis. In fact the earliest CWICSCAN FE SEMs used only this lens to focus the beam.
Cheers,
Jim P.
} } } The problem that I have is when the primary voltage is at say -1 kv. } Using the same filament and parameters, the filament is at -1 kv while the } first anode is at +4 kv. } The electrons that are extracted from the filament are at the primary } voltage: - 1 kv. } } The first anode is now at +4 KV while the second anode is at 0 volts. } The electrons that are extracted are now between the first & second anode at } a -1 kv potential. } It would seem that when electrons are at the - 1 kv potential that they } would be attracted to the first anode as the first anode is now at +4 kv. } Instead the -1 kv electrons continue down the column in seeming defiance of } the laws of physics. } } I have measured the voltages in question & I have examined the gun } components. } } I am sure the laws of physics are intact but there is something that I am } missing that can be explained away (Dr. Fred Schamber are you listening?). } } Not that this presents an immediate problem but just to satisfy my } curiosity. } } Thanks to All. } } Earl Weltmer } Scanservice Corp.
-- **************************************** Prof. James B. Pawley, Ph. 608-263-3147 Room 223, Zoology Research Building, FAX 608-265-5315 1117 Johnson Ave., Madison, WI, 53706 JBPAWLEY-at-FACSTAFF.WISC.EDU "A scientist is not one who can answer questions but one who can question answers." Theodore Schick Jr., Skeptical Enquirer, 21-2:39
I think, not all depends on voltages on anodes and tip only. It is necessary to consider as well where equipotential curves are located, i.e. what is the field strength picture, i.e. it is necessary to analyze also the form of electrodes. The similar situation exists in a mirror electron microscope: electrons are braked near sample, but reach it, because previously were accelerated. Regards and season greetings,
Victor Sidorenko, ANTRON Ltd., Moscow, Russia.
EW} Hi All & Happy New Year,
EW} In my daydreaming & contemplating the universe I have come across a question EW} concerning FE guns that may seem like a stupid question to some but I would EW} like a response anyway.
EW} Hitachi series cold FE guns have three elements: the FE tip, the extraction EW} or first anode (the equivalent to a wehnelt cap on conventional SEMs) & the EW} second anode ( the equivalent to the anode on standards SEMs).
EW} Gun activation is done by a microprocessor in the following manner:
EW} 1. The FE tip & the first anode is raised to the primary voltage, say -15 EW} KV. EW} 2. The first anode voltage is reduced from the primary voltage in 100 volt EW} increments until the desired emission current is reached: usually 5 to 10 EW} uA. The first anode voltage is nominally reduced from the primary voltage by EW} 3 kv to 6.3 kv depending upon the filament life. In this example say it EW} takes 5 kv to extract the desired 10 uA of emission current, then the EW} filament is at -15 KV while the first anode is at -10 KV. EW} 3. The second anode is at ground potential (0 volts).
EW} I understand the physics behind this as electrons are extracted from the EW} source by the first anode. In this case the electrons are at a -15 KV EW} potential and continue to be accelerated down the column as the second anode EW} is at ground potential. All well & good.
EW} The problem that I have is when the primary voltage is at say -1 kv. EW} Using the same filament and parameters, the filament is at -1 kv while the EW} first anode is at +4 kv. EW} The electrons that are extracted from the filament are at the primary EW} voltage: - 1 kv.
EW} The first anode is now at +4 KV while the second anode is at 0 volts. EW} The electrons that are extracted are now between the first & second anode at EW} a -1 kv potential. EW} It would seem that when electrons are at the - 1 kv potential that they EW} would be attracted to the first anode as the first anode is now at +4 kv. EW} Instead the -1 kv electrons continue down the column in seeming defiance of EW} the laws of physics.
EW} I have measured the voltages in question & I have examined the gun EW} components.
EW} I am sure the laws of physics are intact but there is something that I am EW} missing that can be explained away (Dr. Fred Schamber are you listening?).
EW} Not that this presents an immediate problem but just to satisfy my EW} curiosity.
The New York Structural Biology Center (http://www.nysbc.org ) seeks both junior and senior applicants for two faculty level positions in the field of Cryoelectron Microscopy.The Center was founded by nine New York academic research institutions* to implement high-end, state-of-the art instrumentation for both NMR and Cryoelectron Microscopy in order to stimulate their institutional research programs. The Center is purchasing three cryoelectron microscopes at 120, 200, and 300 kV, the last with a liquid-helium stage and an energy filter.In addition to housing independent investigators with active research programs, the Center will serve as a research resource for consortium members, providing local investigators with excellent opportunities for collaboration on a wide array of biological targets.We now seek applicants for two CryoEM positions at the Center who have a record of excellent research achievement and active research programs in any of three CryoEM fields: tomography, single-particles, or crystallography.Send a biographical sketch, a brief statement of research accomplishments and future plans, together with names and addresses of three individuals who can provide letters of recommendation.Applications should be sent as soon as possible to: CryoEM Search Committee, at nysbc-at-nysbc.org .
* Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Columbia University, City University of New York, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York University, Rockefeller University, Wadsworth Center, Weill Medical College at Cornell University. ** this ad will appear in Jan 3 issue of Nature and can be accessed at http://www.nysbc.org/cem1.htm
-- ------------------------------ David L. Stokes Skirball Institute NYU Medical Center 540 First Ave New York, NY 10016 tel and FAX: 212-263-1580 http://saturn.med.nyu.edu/~stokes ------------------------------
MANAGER IN CRYOELECTRON MICROSCOPY NEW YORK STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY CENTER
The New York Structural Biology Center ( http//www.nysbc.org ) seeks a technical manager for a high-end, state of the art facility in Cryoelectron Microscopy. The facility will include three cryoelectron microscopes at 120, 200, and 300 kV, the last with a liquid-helium stage
and an energy filter, as well as all necessary ancillary equipment. The
facility will be used by investigators from nine New York academic research institutions*, and for in-Center researchers, on a broad range of biological targets employing any of three CryoEM methodologies: tomography, single-particles, and crystallography. The appointee will act initially as liaison between scientists and manufacturers in developing specifications, testing, and installing the three instruments, and later in maintaining their performance, and in supporting user applications and new developments. In addition, the appointee will implement a variety of specialized technologies associated with cryoEM, especially for automated data collection. A strong technical background in electron microscopy is essential and familiarity with biological samples would be a bonus. Send a biographical sketch, a brief statement of previous research experience, together with names and addresses of three individuals who can provide letters of recommendation. Applications should be sent as soon as possible to: CryoEM Search Committee, at nysbc-at-nysbc.org .
* Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Columbia University, City University of New York, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York University, Rockefeller University, Wadsworth Center, Weill Medical College at Cornell University. ** this ad can be accessed at http://www.nysbc.org/cemm2.htm
-- ------------------------------ David L. Stokes Skirball Institute NYU Medical Center 540 First Ave New York, NY 10016 tel and FAX: 212-263-1580 http://saturn.med.nyu.edu/~stokes ------------------------------
I've been looking at the CDU as part of their "Falcon" system.
From what I have seen, the CDU has the same performance as the 10L detector. Supposedly, the 10L detector can be fitted with a smaller dewar. The idea behind the CDU is that it is intended for intermittent use. i.e., not used everyday. So its Dewar capacity is smaller but same performance as big Dewar unit. LN2 is poured in (smaller amount) and in an hour, the system is ready to go. The LN2 in the CDU might last only a day or so, whereas the larger Dewar would keep the detector cold for more days.
As far as I can see, it is an issue of frequency of use and how often, therefore, you have to fill the Dewar.
gary g.
At 10:50 AM 1/2/2002, you wrote:
} Dear colleges: } } We have recently purchased a “Phoenix” EDAX microanalysis system } for our Philips CM200 TEM microscope with a sapphire detector and CDU } (Compact Detecting Unit). We are currently waiting for the equipment to arrive. } } The distributor of EDAX for Philips microscopes is suggesting now } changing the configuration and substituting the CDU unit for a 10-liter } Liquid Nitrogen Dewar, maintaining the original price. The reason that } they give us for this suggestion is that the nitrogen in the 10-liter } detector last longer than in the CDU unit. According to them, neither of } these systems needs to have nitrogen when they are not been used. } } I would like advising in this matter because we always had } thought that the CDU unit had a superior performance. } } Many thanks, } Julian } } ___________________ } Julian Martinez Fernandez } University of Seville } Spain } } } _________________________________________________________________ } MSN Photos es la manera más sencilla de compartir, editar e imprimir sus } fotos favoritas. http://photos.latam.msn.com/Support/WorldWide.aspx }
This makes sense. I assumed that the electrons had only -1 kv of energy as the filament is a - 1kv.
Thank You for you explanation.
Now perhaps I can daydream about other more important issues.
Happy New Year.
Earl Weltmer
----- Original Message ----- } From: "James Pawley" {jbpawley-at-facstaff.wisc.edu} To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2002 12:07 PM
We have had a CDU/Sapphire detector on an SEM for over 2 years, and it does work as EDAX promised. It does save Liq. N2 if you have an environment in which the EDX analysis is performed only infrequently. I have discerned no degradation in performance in that time, and obviously icing is not a problem. It is much lighter than the 10L system, and that might alter the mechanical effects on the microscope column, but the 10L system is fine in that regard anyway.
There are downsides, though. It will not stay cold over the weekend, and takes a couple of hours to cool after you fill it. This means that you can't do EDX on a Monday morning, and you (or your users, in a multi-user facility) have to remember to check that the dewar is cold a couple of hours before starting work, but without interfering with other users of the microscope. On a high-resolution TEM this might (would?) also degrade the thermal stability. If your EDX workload is heavy, the CDU will take more of your technician's time, as it will have to be filled more often to keep it cold.
I'm not aware of any way in which the CDU is supposed to have any technical advantage over the 10L system.
Each potential customer will have to judge the relative merits. The hardware works, at least for us, as advertised.
Tony Garratt-Reed
At 07:50 PM 1/2/2002 +0100, Julian Martinez Fernandez wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
There are some of us who have spent most of the last 20 years trying to justify how to move our labs to the coast of Maine, just to get the granite bedrock!
Vibration, sound and electromagnetic interference are all huge unknowns, when it comes to microscope performance. Each manufacturer will provide you with a set of specifications which are "required" for their instrument to meet its specifications. I would strongly suggest that you build a new lab to be significantly better than those specs, because the lab will (hopefully!) outlast the instruments you buy now. New instruments will, in all probability, have tighter specs than the present ones. Not only that, but not even the manufacturer KNOWS, for certain, that the instrument will work, even in an environment that meets the specs.. Only eating the pudding will provide the answer!
This, by the way, is because the specifications are entirely empirical. There is no magic formula a manufacturer can use, plugging in various pieces of information about the microscope, which tells them the tolerable interference levels. They just pluck a figure from the air (well, based on the experience of *lots* of earlier installations, and their own lab instruments), and hope for the best. If your installation has difficulties, the next customer will find the specs tightened. Each site is slightly different, and can present some new twist of vibrational frequency, direction, or whatever, that can excite a previously unknown resonance in the microscope system. Alternatively, perhaps, your system may be subtly different from others (a new batch of wire for some of the springs in the stage, for example, changing the resonant frequencies), so it respondes differently.
Some listers may not agree with my next comment, but in my experience, manufacturers will not abandon you if your site is a few percent out of spec - they will work with you, within reason, to get the instrument running well (it is bad publicity for them otherwise). The difference is that you may have to pay for extra amelioration, whereas if your site is in spec, they will (usually) pay.
Intuitively, granite would be thought to be a good site - after all, don't we try to put pilings down to bedrock to get stable sites in other areas. However, it also transmits vibrations very well if any are induced. Sandstone, I am told, is much better, because it damps the vibrations much more. Any of them, I am certain, are better than the mud-filled saltmarshes on which MIT is built (hence my opening remark!).
So where does that leave us, as users? Architects will ask you for the "Specifications" of the instruments you want to install, and will find the cheapest way of meeting them. In 1980, our EM site easily met the requirements for our EM300 and JEOL200CX. Surprise, surprise - it doesn't come close for a modern FEG-IVEM! On the other hand, given your location, is there much that can be done? Usually one tries to reach the bedrock, but in your case, the bedrock reaches you. It may be a case of what you have is all you can get. If there is too much vibration on your floor, you may have to live with what improvement an isolation system can provide (modern active ones are very effective).
Get qualified, experienced engineers to perform your surveys. Your architects should have contact with people they have worked with in the past, and the microscope vendors certainly have such contacts. Don't forget acoustical interference, electromagnetic problems (magnetic fields, once generated, cannot be eliminated - only moved!). Ask for - nay, DEMAND - the best site money can buy. It will, in the long run, be a good investment for you lab.
By the way, very little of the above represents quality scientific research - just a lot of strongly held subjective opinions formed over the years. Good lock!
Tony Garratt-Reed
At 01:30 PM 1/2/2002 -0500, Lesley S. Bechtold wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Dear Friends,
I have two problems regarding SEM Stereoscan S120:
1. Do you no any supplier who can supply with Spray Aperture? Tell me address of Indian suppliers, if you know any?
2. Tell why I am getting poor quality image and a very astigmatic image, even at high KV. I have cleaned the column many times but cannot get improvement in the quality of the image.
a) Is it because of the problem of Spray Aperture? [I am use since 12 years]
OR
b) I found the screw attached with the electro-optic column magnetic in nature. I have changed it. Is it because of the column having similar problem?
Thanks in advance.
Rajdeep Dongre Electron Microscopy Laboratory Agharkar Research Institute G.G. Agarkar Road Pune - 411 004, India
by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) id FAA25705 for dist-Microscopy; Thu, 3 Jan 2002 05:28:17 -0600 (CST) Received: from no_more_spam.com (sparc5 [206.69.208.10]) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with SMTP id FAA25702 for "MicroscopyFilteredEmail1-at-msa.microscopy.com"; Thu, 3 Jan 2002 05:27:47 -0600 (CST) Received: from ratree.psu.ac.th ([192.100.77.3]) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with ESMTP id FAA25695 for {microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} ; Thu, 3 Jan 2002 05:27:34 -0600 (CST) Received: from localhost (npaiboon-at-localhost) by ratree.psu.ac.th (8.11.6/8.11.6) with SMTP id g03BNcl18641; Thu, 3 Jan 2002 18:23:38 +0700 (ICT)
Dear Dongre
Most problems of poor image quality and astigmatism are from objective aperture and for the image contrast is from scintillator (electron detector) . Clean column it does mean clean or new apertures as well. No effect from the scews.
Good luck
Paiboon Nuannin Scientific Equipment Center Prince of Songkla University Hatyai Thailand
On Thu, 3 Jan 2002, Rajdeep Dongre wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Dear Friends, } } I have two problems regarding SEM Stereoscan S120: } } 1. Do you no any supplier who can supply with Spray Aperture? Tell me } address of Indian suppliers, if you know any? } } 2. Tell why I am getting poor quality image and a very astigmatic } image, even at high KV. I have cleaned the column many times but } cannot get improvement in the quality of the image. } } a) Is it because of the problem of Spray Aperture? [I am use since } 12 years] } } OR } } b) I found the screw attached with the electro-optic column magnetic } in nature. I have changed it. Is it because of the column having } similar problem? } } Thanks in advance. } } Rajdeep Dongre } Electron Microscopy Laboratory } Agharkar Research Institute } G.G. Agarkar Road } Pune - 411 004, India } }
Thankyou everyone who responded for my plea for a lead on who might be able to fix or get parts for our old Wild Heerbruug microscope. You people are great!
I was recently asked for some help with TEM of biological specimens (cells). Since I work in the materials side of microscopy, I could answer some questions but not all. I would appreciate any help with the following questions:
1) Specimen thickness: How thick can a cell structure be and still be able to resolve 20nm features at 100keV? 300keV? 2) Beam damage: What sort of damage typically occurs to such specimens and are cold stages required? 3) Charging: Do bio specimens need to be coated for TEM (to dissipate the charge) and if so what kind of coating is used and how thick? 4) Contrast: Are such specimens typically stained and if so what sort of staining is used?
I realize many volumes could probably be written on each of the above, but any help pointing us in the right direction would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mick Thomas
------------------------------------------------- Mick Thomas UHV-STEM Laboratory E-1 Clark Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853
Lesley, There is, in Physics Today an article about the Triebenberg Lab that Hannes Lichte has built to isolate his high-resolution microscopes from vibration, fields, etc. He told me last January that the information limit of his microscope went from 1.2A to 0.9A just by relocating it to the new facility. The article is at http://physicstoday.org/pt/vol-54/iss-3/p24.html Also, check out: “Design and implementation of a site for a one-Ångstrom TEM”, John H. Turner, Michael A. O’Keefe and Robert Mueller, in 55th Ann. Proc. MSA, Cleveland, Ohio (1997) 1177-1178. “The Triebenberg laboratory -- Designed for highest resolution electron microscopy and holography”, Hannes Lichte et al., in 59th Ann. Proc. MSA, Long Beach, California (2001) 894-895, Microscopy & Microanalysis 7, suppl.2. Happy New Year, Michael A. O'Keefe
"Lesley S. Bechtold" wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Happy New Year to everyone! } } } } We are setting up a totally new EM/LM lab - being built from the ground } } up. We have told our engineers that we need to have a vibration-free } } environment for optimum equipment operation. They would like to know } } exactly what vibration is tolerable and what isn't. Are there any } } standards or measurements out there that detail what limits can be } } tolerated and what can't? } } } } Thank you! } } } } Lesley } } } } Lesley S. Bechtold } } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } } The Jackson Laboratory } } 600 Main St. } } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } } 207-288-6191 } } Lesley S. Bechtold } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } The Jackson Laboratory } 600 Main St. } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } 207-288-6191
Hi, I would appreciate very much if anyone could provide me information on the pit falls to pursue microscope service contract with third party (in particular, the Specialty Underwriters) instead of Jeol. Inc.
We have one Jeol SEM and one Jeol-2010 TEM to be put on contract this year. I have encountered difficulties in persuading our purchasing agent to go with Jeol Inc., because Specialty Underwriters has a quotation $1,000 lower. Because of the State Law, we need to provide evidence not to choose the lowest price vendor. I read comments concerning the pit falls of the service contract with third party on the server. But I would really need hard data.
It will be great if anyone could help.
Best Regards Yan Xin
======================================= Yan Xin (Ph.D) Magnet Science & Technology National High Magnetic Field Laboratory Florida State University 1800 E. Paul Dirac Drive Tallahassee, FL 32310 Tel: (850) 644 1529 Fax: (850) 644 0867 ========================================
Dongre, Refer to problem no 2. Poor image quality/Astigmatism could be due to various reasons. If the scintillator tip is coloured or damaged, you might try replacing it. Check to see if the pole pieces are not misaligned. Make sure that the gap is at the lower end of the pole piece assembly. (Align the gun with spot size 5-6) If you fail after above rectifications, you should try removing the condensor lenses and clean the stigmator assembly. Minutest dust sitting in this area can result in poor image/image movement/astigmatism. Regards Prabhakar
-----Original Message----- } From: rajdeep-at-aripune.ernet.in [mailto:rajdeep-at-aripune.ernet.in] Sent: Friday, January 04, 2002 12:42 AM To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Dear Friends,
I have two problems regarding SEM Stereoscan S120:
1. Do you no any supplier who can supply with Spray Aperture? Tell me address of Indian suppliers, if you know any?
2. Tell why I am getting poor quality image and a very astigmatic image, even at high KV. I have cleaned the column many times but cannot get improvement in the quality of the image.
a) Is it because of the problem of Spray Aperture? [I am use since 12 years]
OR
b) I found the screw attached with the electro-optic column magnetic in nature. I have changed it. Is it because of the column having similar problem?
Thanks in advance.
Rajdeep Dongre Electron Microscopy Laboratory Agharkar Research Institute G.G. Agarkar Road Pune - 411 004, India
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I took the information leaflet of JEOL 3010 and found for floor vibration: 1 micrometer at 2 Hz and 2 micrometer from 3 to 9 Hz. External magnetic field should be 0.1 microTesla or less. (Of course I knew this data by heart, as our microscope was installed last November.) However, it is surprising, that Philips advertising materials do not contain the specs for the installation room. For the antivibration table we went down to 3 m and made a block of concrete, which is isolated from the sorrounding by several other layers, the most important is a 5 cm layer of cork. Strain magnetic field was decreased by changing the second ceiling of the room for a wooden one. Anyway, the microscope works well, 0.122 nm is very nice on images (Al, 311), even a colleague took 440 spacings of GaAs, which is just below 1 Angstrom, while the guarranted line resolution of the microscope is 1.40 Angstrom. We take nice images, despite we do not have any CCD camera on the microscope. By the way, does someone know a cheap solution for that? Sorry, back to the original topic, once the new EM lab will be a biological one, I think no high resolution is needed, the simple antivibration table we ordered should be anough for you. Tell me if you need images on how it was built at the different stages of the work. Good luck, Bela Pecz ------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Béla Pécz Head of the Thin Films Physics Laboratory Research Institute for Technical Physics and Matl. Sci. H-1525 Budapest, POBox 49 Hungary phone: 36-1-392-2587 fax: 36-1-275-4996 E-Mail: pecz-at-mfa.kfki.hu http://www.mfa.kfki.hu/int/thin/ http://www.mfa.kfki.hu/~pecz/ -------------------------------------------------------
} "Lesley S. Bechtold" wrote: } } } Happy New Year to everyone! } } } } } } We are setting up a totally new EM/LM lab - being built from the ground } } } up. We have told our engineers that we need to have a vibration-free } } } environment for optimum equipment operation. They would like to know } } } exactly what vibration is tolerable and what isn't. Are there any } } } standards or measurements out there that detail what limits can be } } } tolerated and what can't? } } } } } } Thank you! } } } } } } Lesley } } } } } } Lesley S. Bechtold } } } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } } } The Jackson Laboratory } } } 600 Main St. } } } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } } } 207-288-6191 } } } } Lesley S. Bechtold } } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } } The Jackson Laboratory } } 600 Main St. } } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } } 207-288-6191 } }
hello all, any univ of cinci EM techs or EM lab managers here. i will be traveling to cinci on buisness at the univ of cinci. would be nice to know someone there, perhaps to talk with if i run into problems. email me back. John Hoffpauir Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia Pa
My apologies for troubles with my Petr's Microscopy Resources (http://www.petr.isibrno.cz/microscopy/) during the Christmas and/or New Year Holiday. The server possessed hardware problems and no repair was possible, because I was out of institute. Now, the server is after complete reinstallation and all problems are fixed.
In spite of this, all the links (suggested for the inclusion to the list of meetings of 2002) have been added.
Regards,
Petr
} Dear Microscopists, } } I should like to inform you, that the list of microscopy meetings for } the year 2002 at so called Petr's Microscopy Resources has been } extended. You can see it at the } } http://www.petr.isibrno.cz/microscopy/meetings.php#2002 } } Regards, } } Petr Schauer } +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ } | Dr. Petr Schauer tel.: (+420 5) 41514313 | } | Head of Electron Microscopy Laboratory fax : (+420 5) 41514404 | } | INSTITUTE OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (+420 5) 41514402 | } | ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC e-mail: petr-at-isibrno.cz | } | Kralovopolska 147, CZ-612 64 Brno petr-at-dp.fce.vutbr.cz | } | Czech Republic www: http://www.petr.isibrno.cz/ | } +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ } }
Frederick C. Monson, PhD Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging West Chester University West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, 19383 610-738-0437 fmonson-at-wcupa.edu
} ---------- } From: Lesley S. Bechtold } Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2002 1:30 PM } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: Fwd: vibration isolation standards } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } Happy New Year to everyone! } } } } We are setting up a totally new EM/LM lab - being built from the ground } } up. We have told our engineers that we need to have a vibration-free } } environment for optimum equipment operation. They would like to know } } exactly what vibration is tolerable and what isn't. Are there any } } standards or measurements out there that detail what limits can be } } tolerated and what can't? } } } } Thank you! } } } } Lesley } } } } Lesley S. Bechtold } } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } } The Jackson Laboratory } } 600 Main St. } } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } } 207-288-6191 } } Lesley S. Bechtold } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } The Jackson Laboratory } 600 Main St. } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } 207-288-6191 } } }
James Martin wrote: ===================================================================== I need cryo sections made of multi-layer polymer films (PE/EVA). Any recommendations for a contract lab that does cryo sectioning? ===================================================================== You can consider the laboratories of Structure Probe, Inc. an independent analytical laboratory. We have been doing this kind of work for clients since 1970. We are experienced with multi-layer polymer films generally, and the PE/EVA system specifically. We are fully equipped to do this kind of work in-house.
We are accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation to the standard is ISO Guide 17025. More information about our laboratory services capabilities can be found on our website URL http://www.2spi.com/ils/ils.html
Let me know how we can help you.
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Disclaimer: Structure Probe, Inc. and SPI Supplies operate as one corporate entity and provide both analytical services as well as products for microscopy and microanalysis.
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
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I'm not familiar with this system but I suspect that the basic principles are very close to those of other SEMs.
I view astigmatism and resolution as two separate topics. Mostly because they seem to be caused and cured by mostly different areas in the SEM column. Bad stigmatism would be seen when the two stig pots are rotated beyond the 2 O'clock and 10 O'clock positions--basically, +- 45 degrees from zero. If your system has a final aperture holder with more than one final aperture, move to another aperture and re-stig. If the stig pots' position moves significantly between apertures, then most likely, you have dirty final apertures. If, in the other hand, the other apertures make little difference in the position of the stig pots, then I would guess that the scan coil liner is dirty. This little bugger can have a huge effect on obtaining high resolution images.
The column liner seems to not have much effect on overall performance--unless it is really dirty. It may also have an aperture and that should be replaced on a routine basis. The anode cap may also have one or two apertures and these too should be replaced. A good check for a dirty column liner is to obtain an image, increase magnification to around 10KX. Then, rotate one of the beam alignment knobs (pots for electronic position, not mechanical alignment knobs on column) until it stops. Your image will of course go away. Let it sit for about 30 seconds and then rotate the pot back into position to re-establish the image. Now watch the image and see if it drifts up or down or left to right. If it does, odds are that your column liner is dirty. If it does not, the liner is clean.
You should be able to find apertures from most any of the large SEM materials suppliers, like Pella, SPI, Ladd, etc. The quality seems to vary for regular Pt apertures. Try different suppliers products until you find one that works best for you. Any 12 year old aperture I would think is long past its useful lifetime.
Would need more info about what you are talking about relative to the magnetic screw. What brought the screw into issue in the first place?
gary g.
At 11:12 AM 1/3/2002, you wrote:
} Dear Friends, } } I have two problems regarding SEM Stereoscan S120: } } 1. Do you no any supplier who can supply with Spray Aperture? Tell me } address of Indian suppliers, if you know any? } } 2. Tell why I am getting poor quality image and a very astigmatic } image, even at high KV. I have cleaned the column many times but } cannot get improvement in the quality of the image. } } a) Is it because of the problem of Spray Aperture? [I am use since } 12 years] } } OR } } b) I found the screw attached with the electro-optic column magnetic } in nature. I have changed it. Is it because of the column having } similar problem? } } Thanks in advance. } } Rajdeep Dongre } Electron Microscopy Laboratory } Agharkar Research Institute } G.G. Agarkar Road } Pune - 411 004, India
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (nicholas.welham-at-anu.edu.au) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html#form on Thursday, January 3, 2002 at 15:44:19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: nicholas.welham-at-anu.edu.au Name: Nick Welham
Organization: Australian National University
Education: Graduate College
Location: Canberra, Australia
Question: Probably not the best place to ask this, but here goes.... I have just "inherited" from a store room a Unitron HHS vacuum heating stage for an inverted metallographic microscope. Unfortunately, there are no instructions with it and I'm reluctant to try using it until I have tried getting some instructions. Unitron no longer have a copy, can you think of anywhere else which may have a copy I could buy/borrow/get a copy of? regards Nick
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (dwhite-at-HuntingtonIndiana.Com) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Thursday, January 3, 2002 at 13:42:49 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: dwhite-at-HuntingtonIndiana.Com Name: Dawn White
Organization: Marion General Hospital
Education: Graduate College
Location: Huntington, Indiana
Question: I see people using expensive comparison microscopes to do comparisons (hairs, fibres, bullets etc)I was very surprised when I heard that these things cost $50,000 or more !
Would it not be cheaper to use a sterio microscope and camera like we have in our lab and compare the photographs ? This system cost less than $2,000 and would seem like a cost effective option.
Lesley, All of your equipment manufacturers should have specs for vibration. A long long long time ago I worked for ETEC and their vibration spec was not more than 10 micro inches displacement in any axis. In general, frequencies below 17 Hz presented the largest problems. Each instrument is different.
Ken Converse owner (wish I were in Maine) Quaity Images Delta, PA
Lesley S. Bechtold wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } Happy New Year to everyone! } } } } We are setting up a totally new EM/LM lab - being built from the } } ground up. We have told our engineers that we need to have a } } vibration-free environment for optimum equipment operation. They } } would like to know exactly what vibration is tolerable and what } } isn't. Are there any standards or measurements out there that detail } } what limits can be tolerated and what can't? } } } } Thank you! } } } } Lesley } } } } Lesley S. Bechtold } } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } } The Jackson Laboratory } } 600 Main St. } } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } } 207-288-6191 } } } Lesley S. Bechtold } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } The Jackson Laboratory } 600 Main St. } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } 207-288-6191 } } } }
Tony, I heard about a microscope a long time ago that was sited in a sub-basement on bedrock. Everyone was very happy.............until it was installed. Vibes out the wazoo! Turns out US Steel had a drop-forge plant on the same piece of bedrock about a mile away.
Some say an isolated cement slab on sand gives terrific isolation. I know sand does a great job isolating 100 year old cast iron water pipe from nearby dynamite. (Don't ask) Apparently your Charles River mud transmits too well, huh?
Ken Converse owner Quality Images third party SEM service Delta, PA
Tony Garratt-Reed wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } There are some of us who have spent most of the last 20 years trying to } justify how to move our labs to the coast of Maine, just to get the granite } bedrock! } } Vibration, sound and electromagnetic interference are all huge unknowns, } when it comes to microscope performance. Each manufacturer will provide } you with a set of specifications which are "required" for their instrument } to meet its specifications. I would strongly suggest that you build a new } lab to be significantly better than those specs, because the lab will } (hopefully!) outlast the instruments you buy now. New instruments will, in } all probability, have tighter specs than the present ones. Not only that, } but not even the manufacturer KNOWS, for certain, that the instrument will } work, even in an environment that meets the specs.. Only eating the } pudding will provide the answer! } } This, by the way, is because the specifications are entirely empirical. } There is no magic formula a manufacturer can use, plugging in various } pieces of information about the microscope, which tells them the tolerable } interference levels. They just pluck a figure from the air (well, based on } the experience of *lots* of earlier installations, and their own lab } instruments), and hope for the best. If your installation has } difficulties, the next customer will find the specs tightened. Each site } is slightly different, and can present some new twist of vibrational } frequency, direction, or whatever, that can excite a previously unknown } resonance in the microscope system. Alternatively, perhaps, your system } may be subtly different from others (a new batch of wire for some of the } springs in the stage, for example, changing the resonant frequencies), so } it respondes differently. } } Some listers may not agree with my next comment, but in my experience, } manufacturers will not abandon you if your site is a few percent out of } spec - they will work with you, within reason, to get the instrument } running well (it is bad publicity for them otherwise). The difference is } that you may have to pay for extra amelioration, whereas if your site is in } spec, they will (usually) pay. } } Intuitively, granite would be thought to be a good site - after all, don't } we try to put pilings down to bedrock to get stable sites in other areas. } However, it also transmits vibrations very well if any are induced. } Sandstone, I am told, is much better, because it damps the vibrations much } more. Any of them, I am certain, are better than the mud-filled } saltmarshes on which MIT is built (hence my opening remark!). } } So where does that leave us, as users? Architects will ask you for the } "Specifications" of the instruments you want to install, and will find the } cheapest way of meeting them. In 1980, our EM site easily met the } requirements for our EM300 and JEOL200CX. Surprise, surprise - it doesn't } come close for a modern FEG-IVEM! On the other hand, given your location, } is there much that can be done? Usually one tries to reach the bedrock, } but in your case, the bedrock reaches you. It may be a case of what you } have is all you can get. If there is too much vibration on your floor, you } may have to live with what improvement an isolation system can provide } (modern active ones are very effective). } } Get qualified, experienced engineers to perform your surveys. Your } architects should have contact with people they have worked with in the } past, and the microscope vendors certainly have such contacts. Don't } forget acoustical interference, electromagnetic problems (magnetic fields, } once generated, cannot be eliminated - only moved!). Ask for - nay, DEMAND } - the best site money can buy. It will, in the long run, be a good } investment for you lab. } } By the way, very little of the above represents quality scientific research } - just a lot of strongly held subjective opinions formed over the years. } Good lock! } } Tony Garratt-Reed } } At 01:30 PM 1/2/2002 -0500, Lesley S. Bechtold wrote: } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } } } } Happy New Year to everyone! } } } } } } We are setting up a totally new EM/LM lab - being built from the ground } } } up. We have told our engineers that we need to have a vibration-free } } } environment for optimum equipment operation. They would like to know } } } exactly what vibration is tolerable and what isn't. Are there any } } } standards or measurements out there that detail what limits can be } } } tolerated and what can't? } } } } } } Thank you! } } } } } } Lesley } } } } } } Lesley S. Bechtold } } } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } } } The Jackson Laboratory } } } 600 Main St. } } } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } } } 207-288-6191 } } } } Lesley S. Bechtold } } Supervisor, Biological Imaging } } The Jackson Laboratory } } 600 Main St. } } Bar Harbor, ME 04609 } } 207-288-6191 } }
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (ykim39-at-uic.edu) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Saturday, January 5, 2002 at 08:38:25 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: ykim39-at-uic.edu Name: YOUNGJUN KIM
Organization: UIC
Education: Graduate College
Location: Chicago, IL. USA
Question: Dear all; I would like to know the principle of fluorescence emission queching. If you know the information resource about this, please tell me that(books, review paper)
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
John -
Are you a MSA member? Members can search the membership list (on the website) using any address criterion - including city. And anyone can look at the list of Local Affiliate Society officers; there's an active one in the Cincinnati area.
Caroline Schooley Project MICRO Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.msa.microscopy.com/ProjectMicro/PMHomePage.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/marinelab.html
} hello all, any univ of cinci EM techs or EM lab managers here. i will be } traveling to cinci on buisness at the univ of cinci. would be nice to know } someone there, perhaps to talk with if i run into problems. email me back. } John Hoffpauir } Thomas Jefferson University } Philadelphia Pa
John -
Are you a MSA member? Members can search the membership list (on the website) using any address criterion - including city. And anyone can look at the list of Local Affiliate Society officers; there's an active one in the Cincinnati area.
Caroline Schooley Project MICRO Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.msa.microscopy.com/ProjectMicro/PMHomePage.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/marinelab.html
Apologies to those who already have received this via Ask-a-microscopist. I have just inherited a Unitron HHS heating stage but do not have any instructions for its use. I have a good idea what to do but would prefer to see if I can find a copy of the original instructions (Unitron don't have them) before things go bang. Does anyone else have one of these with instructions? regards Nick ___________________________________________________________ Dr. Nicholas Welham Electronic Materials Engineering Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia
Yan Xin, Is this Specialty Underwriters a third party service company or an insurance company? This makes a big difference in how to approach the problem. The name screams insurance company, not service company, in which case you will still probably have JEOL doing the work but you will now be a "billable" customer and go to the back of the class behind all the "contract" customers. How time sensitive are you? Also, if this is an insurance company, you will not get any direct technical help (a potential time saver) and the field engineer coming in may not have talked directly with you beforehand. so there may be misinformation that causes further delays.
If it is actually a third party service company then you need references. They could actually be a better deal, or a headache. References, references references. And call them! Figure out what is important to you and see how they stack up according to their own customers.
Good luck.
Ken Converse owner Quality Images third party SEM service Delta, PA
Yan Xin wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi, } I would appreciate very much if anyone could provide me information on } the pit falls to pursue microscope service contract with third party } (in particular, the Specialty Underwriters) instead of Jeol. Inc. } } We have one Jeol SEM and one Jeol-2010 TEM to be put on contract this } year. I have encountered difficulties in persuading our purchasing } agent to go with Jeol Inc., because Specialty Underwriters has a } quotation $1,000 lower. Because of the State Law, we need to provide } evidence not to choose the lowest price vendor. I read comments } concerning the pit falls of the service contract with third party on } the server. But I would really need hard data. } } It will be great if anyone could help. } } Best Regards } Yan Xin } } } ======================================= } Yan Xin (Ph.D) } Magnet Science & Technology } National High Magnetic Field Laboratory } Florida State University } 1800 E. Paul Dirac Drive } Tallahassee, FL 32310 } Tel: (850) 644 1529 } Fax: (850) 644 0867 } ======================================== } } } } } }
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (kfdavis-at-pacbell.net) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Sunday, January 6, 2002 at 19:30:47 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: kfdavis-at-pacbell.net Name: Kenneth Davis
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: Rocklin, CA, USA
Question: Recently purchased a stereo binocular zoom microscope (7-35 with 10x eyepieces) for our grandson. Can you recommend a source or supplier of professionally prepared slides, on a range of subjects, that would complement the instrument and captivate a Middle School student?
I have been asked for methods of removing the gold sputtered coating from polished geological specimens that have been used as SEM specimens. I have suggested washing with mercury, or alkaline sodium cyanide solution, or ammonium thiocyanate solution.
Are there any other methods which would be preferable?
Best wishes, and Happy New Year
Chris ========================================== Dr. Chris Jeffree University of Edinburgh BIOSEM - Biological Sciences Electron Microscope Facility Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology Waddington Building King's Buildings, Mayfield Road EDINBURGH, EH9 3JN, Scotland, UK Tel. #44 (0) 131 650 5554 FAX. #44 (0) 131 650 6563 Mobile 07710 585 401 email c.jeffree-at-ed.ac.uk =========================================
-----Original Message----- } From: Yan Xin [mailto:xin-at-magnet.fsu.edu] Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 3:13 PM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
I believe that Specialty Underwriters is an insurance (or "service management") company. As Ken Converse has said, if they are third-party service providers, then it's a different story and please disregard the following:
Our experience with insurance companies has been absolutely miserable. At one point it took us from April to December simply to get a preventive maintenance visit scheduled on one machine. One insurance company declared bankruptcy, costing a service provider a LOT of money. Our second insurance company seems to be very responsible about paying its bills, but we have definitely been put at the end of the line for service by service providers.
Through some recent discussions (they should be archived by Nestor in the MSA site), I have been educated to see that this is a combination of several factors. One is that service providers must ethically give priority to those holding service contracts with them. Another is that service providers are very reluctant to deal with ANY insurance company after one insurance company has burned them for a lot of money. Yet another is that field service engineers are spread very thin (see reason #1 above). Finally, I believe that insurance companies are simply not set up to deal with instruments like electron microscopes. Save them for centrifuges and elevators.
I strongly (put "strongly" in boldface type and underline it) recommend that you go with the JEOL contract. The $1000 you save will be nothing in comparison with the headaches you will have, if our experience is any indication. When we were on OEM contracts, we had no problems. Hopefully, we will be in that happy state again in the near future.
(I have no financial, emotional, political, or blood ties with any OEM or insurance company, by the way.)
I would be happy to discuss this more with you, if you like.
Good luck,
Randy
Randy Tindall EM Specialist Electron Microscopy Core Facility W122 Veterinary Medicine University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 Tel: (573) 882-8304 Fax: (573) 884-5414 Email: tindallr-at-missouri.edu Web: http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/emc/
Hi, I would appreciate very much if anyone could provide me information on the pit falls to pursue microscope service contract with third party (in particular, the Specialty Underwriters) instead of Jeol. Inc.
We have one Jeol SEM and one Jeol-2010 TEM to be put on contract this year. I have encountered difficulties in persuading our purchasing agent to go with Jeol Inc., because Specialty Underwriters has a quotation $1,000 lower. Because of the State Law, we need to provide evidence not to choose the lowest price vendor. I read comments concerning the pit falls of the service contract with third party on the server. But I would really need hard data.
It will be great if anyone could help.
Best Regards Yan Xin
======================================= Yan Xin (Ph.D) Magnet Science & Technology National High Magnetic Field Laboratory Florida State University 1800 E. Paul Dirac Drive Tallahassee, FL 32310 Tel: (850) 644 1529 Fax: (850) 644 0867 ========================================
} Email: kfdavis-at-pacbell.net } Name: Kenneth Davis } } Education: Undergraduate College } } Location: Rocklin, CA, USA } } Question: Recently purchased a stereo binocular zoom } microscope (7-35 with 10x eyepieces) for our } grandson. Can you recommend a source or supplier } of professionally prepared slides, on a range of } subjects, that would complement the instrument } and captivate a Middle School student? } } Thanks in advance } KF & JA Davis } } --------------------------------------------------------------------------- To answer your specific question, get a copy of the catalog from a large supplier, such as Carolina Biological or Flinn Scientific. But if you really want to "captivate a Middle School student", encourage him to prepare his own samples. Please look at the MICRO bibliography for a reviewed listing of books, videos, and CD-ROMs that will help. Don't miss the "Eye of the Cyclops" middle school video series, prepared by a naturalist-photographer who lives just a few miles from you, in Loomis. And since the inverted image of a compound scope frustrates beginners, I suggest you get the "Scopemaster" CD. Here's an updated listing that will appear online soon: ----------------------------- Neuronware 1997 Scopemaster Neuronware, 15 Madison Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2F2, Canada. For Mac or Windows. $70 - $75 from 3 U.S. sources: Clearvue, 800-253-2788, Flinn Scientific, 800-452-1261, and Sargent Welch, 800-727-4368 (New ordering information) An interactive microscope teaches the use of the controls of a compound microscope: The user can select three objectives, adjust the substage diaphragm, and use coarse and fine focus. Advice on microscope use appears if a mistake is made; if the advice is ignored, the high power objective even breaks with a resounding "crack" if the slide hits it! Slides must be centered on the stage in a realistic way that makes the inverted image of the compound microscope understandable; it will be nonthreatening, nondestructive practice for a beginner. Ten sets of nine slides each (mostly biological) are included, each with its own well-written reference book; the goal is specimen identification. The images are good color light micrographs; each can be viewed full-screen after the microscope is in focus, or all can be reviewed quickly in "teacher" mode. There is a self-test, and a printable test for class use. More information (and a downloadable update for Windows) is available on the web at www.snap.ca/neuronware/index.htm. Middle and high school. RECOMMENDED ---------------------------
Caroline Schooley Project MICRO Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.msa.microscopy.com/ProjectMicro/PMHomePage.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/marinelab.html
I'm imaging (TEM) collagen in primate and avian skin. I've found that the diameter varies from 50 nm to 200 nm within the same "bundle" of collagen. Is this typical?
Or, am I possibly having fixation / osmilarity problems???????????
Tim Quinn University of Kansas Research Assistant Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center Dyche Hall Room 414 Lawrence, KS 6604-2454 785-864-4556 tquinn-at-ku.edu
I am trying to track down some pictures of the embedding and sectioning process to show to students in an introductory cellular biology class. We want to demonstrate the process of acquiring the sample, processing, infiltrating, embedding, and sectioning. We would especially like a picture of the sections coming off the knife and floating as a ribbon on the water. The instructor would like color photos, web quality for his web based lecture notes. Any help, pointers to any specific sites, would be appreciated.
Rick A. Harris, Director Microscopy and Imaging Facility Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology 1241 Life Sciences Addition University of California Davis, CA 530 752 2914 530 754 7536 fax http://katie.ucdavis.edu raharris-at-ucdavis.edu
A similar question arose on another listserver, although it was removing a 2 mciron gold metallizton from GaAs. The responses from there were as follows:
Response 1 "Greetings!
It is possible that a cut or buffered aqua regia might do the trick. I have had some success with the recipe below on Au metallization at M2 and above on GaAs dice. The interlayer dielectric was silicon dioxide, so there was not a lot of seepage into the die substrate layer - this, more than the recipe, might have kept the damage down. Assuming SiO2 as the ILD on all layers of your part, this might still work:
50 ml deionized water
30 ml HCl
20 ml HNO3
Swirl or agitate the part in the solution for five minutes. Inspect and repeat once if needed.
One minute rinse in deionized water, followed by 30 seconds rinse in acetone. Dry under heat lamp to minimize surface staining.
As always, try this on a practice part first in case this does not buffer the reaction with GaAs enough.
Good Luck !
Regards,
Carl Nail National Semiconductor Carl.Nail-at-nsc.com"
Response 2 "A solution of potassium iodide and iodine in water is a decent gold etch. I have no idea how it would affect GaAs, but I suspect it would be less destructive than Aqua Regia.
Alan Street alan-at-irsi.com"
I hope this helps!
David
Chris Jeffree wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear All } } I have been asked for methods of removing the gold sputtered } coating from } polished geological specimens that have been used as SEM } specimens. I have suggested washing with mercury, or alkaline } sodium cyanide solution, or ammonium thiocyanate solution. } } Are there any other methods which would be preferable? } } Best wishes, and Happy New Year } } Chris } ========================================== } Dr. Chris Jeffree } University of Edinburgh } BIOSEM - Biological Sciences Electron Microscope Facility } Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology } Waddington Building } King's Buildings, Mayfield Road } EDINBURGH, EH9 3JN, Scotland, UK } Tel. #44 (0) 131 650 5554 } FAX. #44 (0) 131 650 6563 } Mobile 07710 585 401 } email c.jeffree-at-ed.ac.uk } =========================================
-- David Henriks TEL: +1-949-492-2600 South Bay Technology, Inc. FAX: +1-949-492-1499 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 USA e-mail: henriks-at-southbaytech.com
Greetings, I have a user who wishes to study oil/water emulsions trapped in a cellulose membrane using confocal microscopy. He wishes to visualize trapped oil droplets by labeling them with an oil-soluble fluorescent dye. It appears that Oil Red O works to a degree, however it doesn't hold up well under the laser. Perhaps Nile Red would be a better alternative? The membrane yields significant background so any suggestions for selectively quenching autofluorescence from regenerated nitrocellulose would be greatly appreciated. I welcome any suggestions for oil soluble fluorochomes. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Karl G.
_______________________________________________ Karl Garsha Light Microscopy Specialist Imaging Technology Group Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology University of Illiniois at Urbana-Champaign 405 North Mathews Avenue Urbana, IL 61801 Room B650J Tel: (217) 244-6292 Fax: (217) 244-6219 www.itg.uiuc.edu
Dear List, Can anyone who knows or is doing research on adenocarcinoma of the lung (non-small cell) please contact me off the list for some references? Thank you so much!
Tracey M. Pepper Supervisor Bessey Microscopy Facility Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011-1020 p. 515.294.3872 f. 515.294.1337
We are very close to buy a new EDX System (instead of old HNU) for our Topcon SEM. Following a bid process we should choose between PGT and EVEX systems (both include digitized image subsystem). Price is about the same for both although PGT offers a system with Be window (and thus "Na and up") and EVEX - a system with a low element detector. I should note that our Topcon SEM does not have an intermediate (or "prep") chamber, and therefore the system will be open to atmosphere during a sample change. How it might effect a low element detector performance? How reliable those systems (EVEX and PGT). Shortly, how often did you have problems with those systems and vendors? All replies will be accepted with the "great thanks".
Andrey Sklyarov, Advanced Analysis Facility University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee andskl-at-csd.uwm.edu 414/229-6692
I've worked on the same problem but with Au/Pd on microchips. I use Ar plasma etching by setting my Anatech Hummer VII to ETCH. I etch at 10% power setting at 100mT vacuum. The trick is to know when to stop etching. This is solved by plating or coating a #1 cover slip the same as is the specimen. Then, put both in the chamber and etch until the cover slip is clear.
Use a low power and be prepared to etch for a LONG time (perhaps an hour). Biological specimens might be able to handle higher power settings than microchips. High power for an IC will blow runners and poly. Try a sacrificial specimen first, before committing your actual specimen.
gary g.
At 03:28 AM 1/7/2002, you wrote:
} Dear All } } I have been asked for methods of removing the gold sputtered } coating from } polished geological specimens that have been used as SEM } specimens. I have suggested washing with mercury, or alkaline } sodium cyanide solution, or ammonium thiocyanate solution. } } Are there any other methods which would be preferable? } } Best wishes, and Happy New Year } } Chris } ========================================== } Dr. Chris Jeffree } University of Edinburgh } BIOSEM - Biological Sciences Electron Microscope Facility } Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology } Waddington Building } King's Buildings, Mayfield Road } EDINBURGH, EH9 3JN, Scotland, UK } Tel. #44 (0) 131 650 5554 } FAX. #44 (0) 131 650 6563 } Mobile 07710 585 401 } email c.jeffree-at-ed.ac.uk } =========================================
Dear Chris, I believe the best way is to lightly re-polish at the finest grit size used for the original polish. This may not remove all the gold. At 11:28 AM 1/7/02 +0000, you wrote:
} Dear All } } I have been asked for methods of removing the gold sputtered } coating from } polished geological specimens that have been used as SEM } specimens. I have suggested washing with mercury, or alkaline } sodium cyanide solution, or ammonium thiocyanate solution. } } Are there any other methods which would be preferable? } } Best wishes, and Happy New Year } } Chris Regards, Mary
Mary Mager Electron Microscopist Metals and Materials Engineering University of British Columbia 6350 Stores Road Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 CANADA tel: 604-822-5648 e-mail: mager-at-interchange.ubc.ca
The FL Society for Microscopy will be meeting with the FL AVS on March 11-12, 2002 at the University of Central Florida
Invited Speakers - Physical Sciences
David Williams, Lehigh Univ. David Joy, U. Tennessee David Field, Washington State Univ. Molly McCartney, Arizona State Univ. Leonid Chernyak, University of Central Florida
Invited Speakers - Biological Sciences
Eugene Goldberg , University of Florida Laurie Gower, University of Florida
There will also be a FIB session and FIB users group meeting on March 12. For more information on submitting an abstract or participating in the users group meeting please contact either
Lucille Giannuzzi, lag-at-mail.ucf.edu
or
Fred Stevie, fred_stevie-at-ncsu.edu
******************************************************************* Lucille A. Giannuzzi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering Director, UCF/Cirent Materials Characterization Facility University of Central Florida 12443 Research Parkway, Suite 305 Orlando, FL 32826 email lag-at-mail.ucf.edu phone (407) 882-1500 fax (407) 275-4321 -------------------------------------------------------------------- "Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from making bad judgement."
Mark Twain ********************************************************************
A Short Course With Emphasis on Recent Innovations in Tools and Methods
(Including tripod polishing, ion milling, and FIB techniques.)
Instructors: Ron Anderson, IBM (retired); Fred Stevie, NC State; Lucille Giannuzzi, UCF
At the University of Central Florida (prior to the FL AVS/FL Society for Microscopy Meeting) Orlando, FL
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 8,9,10, 2002
for registration information please contact: Lucille Giannuzzi, lag-at-mail.ucf.edu
******************************************************************* Lucille A. Giannuzzi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering Director, UCF/Cirent Materials Characterization Facility University of Central Florida 12443 Research Parkway, Suite 305 Orlando, FL 32826 email lag-at-mail.ucf.edu phone (407) 882-1500 fax (407) 275-4321 -------------------------------------------------------------------- "Good judgement comes from experience.
Experience comes from making bad judgement."
Mark Twain ********************************************************************
on 1/3/02 12:29 PM, Mick Thomas at mgt3-at-ccmr.cornell.edu wrote: } } I was recently asked for some help with TEM of biological specimens } (cells). Since I work in the materials side of microscopy, I could answer } some questions but not all. I would appreciate any help with the following } questions: } } 1) Specimen thickness: How thick can a cell structure be and still be able } to resolve 20nm features at 100keV? 300keV? } 2) Beam damage: What sort of damage typically occurs to such specimens and } are cold stages required? } 3) Charging: Do bio specimens need to be coated for TEM (to dissipate the } charge) and if so what kind of coating is used and how thick? } 4) Contrast: Are such specimens typically stained and if so what sort of } staining is used? } } I realize many volumes could probably be written on each of the above, but } any help pointing us in the right direction would be very much appreciated. } } Thanks, } Dear Mick, Since no experts have answered you, I'll take a shot.
1) At 100 keV, sections are typically no more than ~100 nm; at 300 keV, roughly 250-500 nm sections can be examined. I don't know the level of resolution for these thicknesses, so I can't be sure that 20 nm features can be resolved, but this seems a modest requirement. Furthermore, these thicknesses depend on the nature of the cells--the limitation at 300 keV is likely to be the overlap of features more than transparency of the section--the staining procedure, and other parameters (such as if you wish to take a tomographic series, where a high tilt gives a larger effective thickness).
2) If the cells are fixed, embedded in epoxy, and stained, the specimens are usually not badly damaged by radiation (i.e., the loss of resolution after irradiation is usually not significant), so cold stages are not needed for these conventionally-prepared specimens; cells not fixed, embedded, and stained are very susceptible to radiation damage, and a cold stage is essential. Again, if tomography is needed, there will be 50 to 100 exposures of the same area, so the effects of radiation damage will be greater by that factor, and will not be the same in each exposure.
3) Usually the formvar-covered grid is carbon coated to eliminate charging.
4) Yes. Heavy-metal stains are the most common: uranyl acetate with or without lead citrate, osmium tetroxide (as both a stain and lipid fixative), and phosphotungstic acid are the ones I've heard of.
Many volumes have, indeed, been written on these--Hyatt has a whole series, and Bozzola and Russell have written a book on biological EM. I apologize to all the other authors on the Microscopy List and elsewhere whom I have not cited due to ignorance of their work. Good luck. Yours, Bill Tivol
Chris Jeffree wrote: ==================================================== I have been asked for methods of removing the gold sputtered coating from polished geological specimens that have been used as SEM specimens. I have suggested washing with mercury, or alkaline sodium cyanide solution, or ammonium thiocyanate solution.
Are there any other methods which would be preferable? =================================================== I would be a bit worried about some of these liquid suggestions possibly dissolving out or reacting with species in the geological sample.
Could one not
a) put the sample into a sputter coater with etch mode (I realize not all sputter coaters have the etch mode, but this might be one of the few good applications for it) and literally sputter off the gold layer? This is not a brand-specific suggestion, just about any sputter coater with etch should do it.
b) expose to an oxygen plasma in a reactive plasma etcher such as the SPI Plasma Prep™ II plasma etcher. I have mentioned this before, and that the chemistry we have never figured out, but after about thirty minutes, most gold layers seem to somehow get removed. Unless there were organics in the geological sample, the exposure should not change the sample. However, the oxygen plasma will start to etch away the embedding plastic, which might not necessarily be a bad thing because that will permit a different kind of a view of the polished geological sample ( you can now look into the voids that have been opened up).
Disclaimer: SPI Supplies manufactures the Plasma Prep™ II plasma etcher for this kind of application.
Chuck
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
I can't comment on primate and avian specifically although I guess since we share so much genome and collagen is so highly conserved the story should be similar.
Type III would be the thinner of what you are seeing, Type I would be thicker but not 200nm - more like 80nm if memory serves. Any possibility of elastin???
Have you seen this 'problem' before??
Nadolig Llawen a Blwddyn Newydd Dda / God Jul och Gott Nytt År / Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Gareth Morgan MPhil MSc FIBMS, Institutionen för Mikrobiologi, Patologi och Immunologi(IMPI), H5, Karolinska Institutet, Dept of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Lindhagensgatan 92, Box 12773, S 112 96, Stockholm Sweden
Specialty Underwriters is an insurance company. In my previous position in a hospital pathology lab; we tried "Specialty". It wasn't so bad with our more general equipment, however when it came to the EM scopes; it was a different story. I must say, I agree with Randy's comments. We were always the last on the priority list, no matter what the emergency was. It didn't matter that we were a hospital and that patient care was dependent on our work. Also, you have to be careful how the contract is written. For example: 1 PM or 2 for the year; are all parts included or just some; and how are emergency visits scheduled? Make sure you have all the details of the contract. Personally, it was a bad experience and certainly not worth the financial savings.
If you do decide to go with "Specialty", then at least have a good PM from your current service provider prior to the end of the contract.
Also, one final point, which you should investigate. If there is a lapse in coverage, some companies will charge a "qualifying or inspection fee" prior to offering a service contract. I had that happen with Zeiss when we wanted to switch back to them after having a contract with Specialty. Even though Zeiss provided the service for the duration of our Specialty contract, because we didn't have a contract with them exclusively, there was no guarantee that anyone else hadn't worked on the scope. So for their protection, they required an instrument inspection at our cost. Of course, we learned this the hard way. No one warned us of this. So please, talk to JEOL about this potential cost. If "Specialty" doesn't work out and you should want to go back to JEOL...Are there any hidden costs to re-sign with JEOL?
Good Luck with your decision. Jackie
Jackie Garfield Electron Microscopist Lifecell Corporation One Millennium Way Branchburg, NJ 08807 E-mail: jgarfield-at-lifecell.com
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear Colleagues, } } I am trying to track down some pictures of the embedding and sectioning } process to show to students in an introductory cellular biology class. We } want to demonstrate the process of acquiring the sample, processing, } infiltrating, embedding, and sectioning. We would especially like a } picture of the sections coming off the knife and floating as a ribbon on } the water. The instructor would like color photos, web quality for his web } based lecture notes. Any help, pointers to any specific sites, would be } appreciated. } } Rick A. Harris, Director } Microscopy and Imaging Facility } Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology } 1241 Life Sciences Addition } University of California } Davis, CA } 530 752 2914 } 530 754 7536 fax } http://katie.ucdavis.edu } raharris-at-ucdavis.edu
Dear Rick:
Several books on EM sample prep have such photos, but putting them on a website might be copyright infringment? Does your University have a media dept. that could take photos for you? Or a photography dept.? Getting good shots of sections floating in the boat is NOT easy, the sections must be close to parallel to the film plane for optimum focus, fluorescent lighting makes correct color balance difficult to achieve, etc. The movie "The Andromeda Strain" has cinemacrophotography of thin sectioning in progress, also a nice shot of an RCA/ForgeFlo 4C microscope.
Geoff -- ********************************************** Geoff McAuliffe, Ph.D. Neuroscience and Cell Biology Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854 voice: (732)-235-4583; fax: -4029 mcauliff-at-umdnj.edu **********************************************
I have a Zeiss TEM (EM-9S-2) available. Needs chiller and vacuum pump. Many extra spare parts. Complete with manuals and schematics. First $1,000.00 takes it. Buyer responsible for shipping.
Are there any users of osmium plasma coaters that would be willing to share their experiences? I am especially interested in knowing the following:
1. How long have you had your unit? 2. Have you had any problems with it? 3. Are you happy with the coatings that you obtain? 4. What type of samples do you typically coat? 5. Have you had opportunity to compare your coatings with other high resolution coatings?
Any other comments you would care to share would be appreciated.
Stanley L. Flegler, Director Center for Advanced Microscopy Michigan State University
Thanks for your replies. I was approached at noon for these photos by a faculty member notorious for waiting until the last minute. He wanted the pics by 5pm. After searching several texts and not finding what he needed I posted my note to the list then I got out the digital camera and shot the pictures myself. I was able to get a pic of a ribbon of sections by shooting thru the eyepiece on the dissecting scope on the ultramicrotome. I would not consider the picture to be excellent but it was pretty good. The other stuff was easy and he got what he needed.
Rick A. Harris, Director Microscopy and Imaging Facility Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology 1241 Life Sciences Addition University of California Davis, CA 530 752 2914 530 754 7536 fax http://katie.ucdavis.edu raharris-at-ucdavis.edu
We have looked at human collagen diameters in the reticular dermis and the fibers tend to run from 80 - 100 nm + or - about 8 nm in a nice bell curve.
Bob
On Mon, 7 Jan 2002, Quinn, Tim Lee wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Dear listies, } } I have a query?????????????????? } } I'm imaging (TEM) collagen in primate and avian skin. I've found that the } diameter varies from 50 nm to 200 nm within the same "bundle" of collagen. } Is this typical? } } Or, am I possibly having fixation / osmilarity problems??????????? } } } } Tim Quinn } University of Kansas } Research Assistant } Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center } Dyche Hall Room 414 } Lawrence, KS 6604-2454 } 785-864-4556 } tquinn-at-ku.edu } }
Hi all, does anyone have a favorite place to buy Agfa RC photographic paper (multi-contrast and #4). happy new year to everyone, Beth
*************************************************************************** Beth Richardson EM Lab Coordinator Botany Department University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602-7271
Phone - (706) 542-1790 & FAX - (706) 542-1805
"Between the two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before". Mae West (1893-1980) ***************************************************************************
"And it's only the giving that makes you what you are". Wond'ring Aloud, Jethro Tull (Aqualung)
I concur with everything Jackie says. We also will be expected to recertify any scope that was not covered by OEM contracts for a period, if we want to return to our old service contracts (which we do!), even if the OEM service engineers were the only ones to touch the scope. This recertification will cost about $1500 per microscope, unless you have two or more of the same make that can be done in a single visit.
I repeat my first advice: stay with an OEM contract. Contracts with third-party service providers are also an option, but have a contract with somebody who recognizes you as a priority customer they deal with directly.
Randy
Randy Tindall EM Specialist Electron Microscopy Core Facility W122 Veterinary Medicine University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211 Tel: (573) 882-8304 Fax: (573) 884-5414 Email: tindallr-at-missouri.edu Web: http://www.biotech.missouri.edu/emc/
-----Original Message----- } From: Jacqueline D. Garfield [mailto:JGarfield-at-lifecell.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2002 7:46 AM To: 'Microscopy-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com'
Dear Yan,
Specialty Underwriters is an insurance company. In my previous position in a hospital pathology lab; we tried "Specialty". It wasn't so bad with our more general equipment, however when it came to the EM scopes; it was a different story. I must say, I agree with Randy's comments. We were always the last on the priority list, no matter what the emergency was. It didn't matter that we were a hospital and that patient care was dependent on our work. Also, you have to be careful how the contract is written. For example: 1 PM or 2 for the year; are all parts included or just some; and how are emergency visits scheduled? Make sure you have all the details of the contract. Personally, it was a bad experience and certainly not worth the financial savings.
If you do decide to go with "Specialty", then at least have a good PM from your current service provider prior to the end of the contract.
Also, one final point, which you should investigate. If there is a lapse in coverage, some companies will charge a "qualifying or inspection fee" prior to offering a service contract. I had that happen with Zeiss when we wanted to switch back to them after having a contract with Specialty. Even though Zeiss provided the service for the duration of our Specialty contract, because we didn't have a contract with them exclusively, there was no guarantee that anyone else hadn't worked on the scope. So for their protection, they required an instrument inspection at our cost. Of course, we learned this the hard way. No one warned us of this. So please, talk to JEOL about this potential cost. If "Specialty" doesn't work out and you should want to go back to JEOL...Are there any hidden costs to re-sign with JEOL?
Good Luck with your decision. Jackie
Jackie Garfield Electron Microscopist Lifecell Corporation One Millennium Way Branchburg, NJ 08807 E-mail: jgarfield-at-lifecell.com
We are having a minor disagreement here so I thought I'd consult the experts: Do the same cautions apply when turning OFF Hg and Xe lamps, as far as protecting computers from a pulse, as when turning the lamps ON?
Sorry if some of you see this twice; I'm cross-posting to both the Microscopy and Confocal servers.
TIA
Tamara
|--------------------------------------------------| Tamara Howard Department of Cell Biology and Physiology University of New Mexico - Health Sciences Center Albuquerque, NM 87131 thoward-at-unm.edu |--------------------------------------------------|
I have recently inherited a Joel JXA-8600 EPMA and the quality system issues associated with it. Can anyone give suggestions as how best to characterize the measurement uncertainty of WDX measurements? The goal is for our laboratory to comply with measurement uncertainty requirements specified in section 5.4 of ISO/IEC 17025. Any suggestions as to how others have accomplished this task would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
John
John A. Rotole, Ph.D. Project Engineer Coatings & Surface Technology Ispat Inland Product Research 3001 E. Columbus Drive East Chicago, Indiana 46312 Tel: 219-399-6308 Fax: 219-399-6562
While there can be some "inductive kick-back" from a transformer when the load is removed quickly, it is not the same as turning on a high pressure xenon lamp. To light a Xe lamp, ionization is usually initiated by a rather high voltage pulse. After ionization, the Xe becomes a good conductor instead of an insulator. At that point the lower voltage, high current portion of the Xe power supply takes over to sustain the lamp.
A well designed, filtered, etc. power supply *should not* feed back much trash to the supply line - starting or otherwise. Can't speak to all brands/designs... In a poorly shielded system there could be a significant amount of radiated energy during Xe start-up, but even that should not damage a PC unless rather tightly coupled.
Woody
} -------------------------------------------------------------- } ---------- } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society } of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help } http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -------------------------------------------------------------- } ---------. } } } We are having a minor disagreement here so I thought I'd consult the } experts: Do the same cautions apply when turning OFF Hg and } Xe lamps, as } far as protecting computers from a pulse, as when turning the } lamps ON? } } Sorry if some of you see this twice; I'm cross-posting to both the } Microscopy and Confocal servers. } } TIA } } Tamara } } |--------------------------------------------------| } Tamara Howard } Department of Cell Biology and Physiology } University of New Mexico - Health Sciences Center } Albuquerque, NM 87131 } thoward-at-unm.edu } |--------------------------------------------------| } } }
} I have recently inherited a Joel JXA-8600 EPMA and the quality system } issues associated with it. Can anyone give suggestions as how best } to characterize the measurement uncertainty of WDX measurements? The } goal is for our laboratory to comply with measurement uncertainty } requirements specified in section 5.4 of ISO/IEC 17025. ...
To me, section 5.4 is pretty darn vague ... but is does include a reference to "Use of latest valid edition of standards" which is most times difficult to adhere to unless your facility's adherence to 17025 is extremely focussed. For example, I am not aware of any "valid edition" of EPMA standards ... although many reference standards are well characterized.
However, I will be exploring the following wwwsite for "ACCREDITED CALIBRATION & TESTING LABORATORIES" (EPMA), and its "UNCERTAINTY LINKS" for EPMA references: http://www.fasor.com/iso25/
genuinely ... michael shaffer :o) Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland
Colleagues, we are using for the last 16 years at our ZEISS transmission electron microscope EM 109 (with transfiber plate) the orthochromatic b/w roll film type 120 "AGFA ORTHO 25". However, this film is not produced anymore. Has anybody found an equivalent successor? Does anybody know an orthochromatic "120" roll film? Thank you for a short informal answer! Peter Heimann ************************************************** please reply to: peter.heimann-at-biologie.uni-bielefeld.de ("E-MAIL")
Dr. Peter Heimann Developmental Biology & Molecular Pathology; W7-107 University of Bielefeld D 33501 Bielefeld / Germany phone: xx49(0)521-106-5628 / 5627 FAX : xx49(0)521-106-5654 WEB-Site: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/biologie/Entwicklungsbiologie WEB-Site: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/SFB549 ******************************************************
I need to buy Cell Culture Osteoblast. Does anyone out there know what companies sell this kind of cells?
Thanks in advance for your help. Regards,
Mirtha Romano Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular Servicio de Microscopía Electrónica Apartado 21827 Caracas 1020-A Venezuela
This is a problem for all ISO 17025 labs. We are A2LA accredited and have to comply with this for all of our analytical procedures. Unless all labs calculate their uncertainty budgets according to some common criteria, it will be useless, time consuming and expensive exercise.
How do we calculate our uncertainty for something as subjective as grain size?
The whole idea sounds good, but its implementation was not thought out prior to imposing it onto the labs.
My 2.0000 plus 0.0005/minus 0.0002 worth.
} John writes ... } } } I have recently inherited a Joel JXA-8600 EPMA and the quality system } } issues associated with it. Can anyone give suggestions as how best } } to characterize the measurement uncertainty of WDX measurements? The } } goal is for our laboratory to comply with measurement uncertainty } } requirements specified in section 5.4 of ISO/IEC 17025. ... } } To me, section 5.4 is pretty darn vague ... but is does include a } reference to "Use of latest valid edition of standards" which is most times } difficult to adhere to unless your facility's adherence to 17025 is } extremely focussed. For example, I am not aware of any "valid edition" of } EPMA standards ... although many reference standards are well characterized. } } However, I will be exploring the following wwwsite for "ACCREDITED } CALIBRATION & TESTING LABORATORIES" (EPMA), and its "UNCERTAINTY LINKS" for } EPMA references: } http://www.fasor.com/iso25/ } } genuinely ... michael shaffer :o) } Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland }
: } : } : } We are having a minor disagreement here so I thought I'd consult the : } experts: Do the same cautions apply when turning OFF Hg and : } Xe lamps, as : } far as protecting computers from a pulse, as when turning the : } lamps ON? : } : } Sorry if some of you see this twice; I'm cross-posting to both the : } Microscopy and Confocal servers. : } : } TIA : } : } Tamara : } : } |--------------------------------------------------| : } Tamara Howard : } Department of Cell Biology and Physiology
The easy way to find out is to connect a fast recording digital oscilloscope across the connection to the power mains and record what happens when you turn on and off the light if you suspect the problems coming through the power line. This should be easily controlled with the proper power conditioner connected to the light power source. It is nothing more than a large inductance with capacitors and other elements shorting the high frequency and high voltage components to ground before they get on the mains.
If you think the problems are being radiated through the air a spectrum analyzer should show up any problems in that area. Proper shielding and grounding should take care of any problems in this area.
In both cases a good short low impedance path to earth ground helps a great deal. The ground for this should be physically separate from the ground in the wiring but there should be no potential between the grounds. The should be electrically connected. To get this to function correctly and meet electrical code is beyond the scope of most electricians. A good radio broadcast engineer would be the person I would ask to find some one local to help or possibly one of the older faculty members in electrical engineering that has worked with radio frequency transmitters.
Good luck Gordon
Gordon Couger Stillwater, OK www.couger.com/gcouger
Peter, our EM lab has an EM 109 Zeiss and we also encountered this problem several years ago and resolved it by using: Technical Pan Film 6415 (TP 120) Cat # 74133 120mm, E. Kodak #151 1054 Ordered from: Electron Microscopy Sciences 215-646-1566 Phone SGK cck-at-aol.com We use Dektol to develope the TP 120 and KodaFix to fix it. Hope this helps.Teresa
Colleagues, we are using for the last 16 years at our ZEISS transmission electron microscope EM 109 (with transfiber plate) the orthochromatic b/w roll film type 120 "AGFA ORTHO 25". However, this film is not produced anymore. Has anybody found an equivalent successor? Does anybody know an orthochromatic "120" roll film? Thank you for a short informal answer! Peter Heimann
Hello Listers, Due to the fact that Polaroid will soon stop production of 667 B&W instant film, I have an immediate need for a digital camera for my JEOL T220 A SEM. Any help (vendors welcome) would be appreciated on or off listserver. Budget is around 2 - 3k. I am down to my last few boxes, and although I still can reorder I prefer not to................
TIA
Robert Fowler Quality Assurance Technician (Failure Analysis) TDK Components USA, Inc. Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Division 1 TDK Boulevard Peachtree City GA 30269-2051 Telephone: (770) 631-0410 Ext.315 Fax: (770) 487-1460 email: rfowler-at-tdktca.com www.tdk.com
Greetings, I am writing with the request that you include the following announcement:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- The American Chemical Society will be offering its popular short course, Applied Optical Microscopy, on March 15-17, 2002, immediately preceding PITTCON 2002 in New Orleans, LA. The course is designed for researchers, technicians, and quality assurance and failure analysis scientists who need to develop a strong foundation in optical microscopy or who wish to extend their current capability in the field. A full course description can be found in the online catalog at www.chemistry.org/shortcourses. Look under "What's New" for the "ACS Short Courses at PITTCON 2002" catalog which is downloadable as a pdf file. Or, contact the ACS at shortcourses-at-acs.org or 800-227-5558, extension 4508. The course registration fee is $1,095 for ACS members and $1,195 for nonmembers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Thank you for your help. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or need additional information.
******************************************************************** Harold G. Walsh Department of Continuing Education American Chemical Society 1155 Sixteenth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 800-227-5558, extension 4507, or 202-872-4507 Fax: 202-872-6336 Email: h_walsh-at-acs.org
Visit our web site at www.chemistry.org/shortcourses ********************************************************************
I am looking for a wire EDM (spark cutter) for both slicing specimens and drilling holes (TEM disks). Ideally, I would like to buy a model of a small size (not an industrial scale), that could be put on top of a bench. I made a search on the Web but it was not very successful. I would appreciate if somebody could share his/her experience and recommend a vendor, preferably in the US.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on the north shore of Long Island, New York is seeking an experienced and responsible Biological Microscopy Facility Core Manager for the laboratory's state-of-the-art central microscopy facility. The individual should have practical expertise in transmission electron microscopy, confocal and widefield fluorescence microscopy, and digital imaging. The successful candidate will be involved in designing and carrying out experimental protocols for users, training individuals in the use of various microscopes, and aligning microscopes and keeping the facility operating at an efficient and high level of productivity. Interested individuals should send their resume, including a description of their expertise and the names and addresses of 3 references to: Dr. David L. Spector, email: spector-at-cshl.org -- Dr. David L. Spector Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory One Bungtown Road Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724 Tel. (516) 367-8456 Fax (516) 367-8876 email: spector-at-cshl.org
Ernest F Fullam http://www.fullam.com/ sells such a unit and so does South Bay Technology https://www.southbaytech.com/
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Glass Technology Center P. O. Box 11472 (letters) Guys Run Rd. (packages) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
Walck-at-PPG.com
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8515 (fax)
-----Original Message----- } From: "evgenia.pekarskaya-at-exxonmobil.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com [mailto:"evgenia.pekarskaya-at-exxonmobil.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 2:38 PM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Dear Colleagues,
I am looking for a wire EDM (spark cutter) for both slicing specimens and drilling holes (TEM disks). Ideally, I would like to buy a model of a small size (not an industrial scale), that could be put on top of a bench. I made a search on the Web but it was not very successful. I would appreciate if somebody could share his/her experience and recommend a vendor, preferably in the US.
Robert, A "digital camera" is not going to be of any value to you. An SEM takes pictures by scanning one dot at a time and that is how your Polaroid film is exposed. You can, however, add a digital imaging system (active or passive) that will capture your images. Unfortunately your budget is not suited to that as they tend to run about 10k and up.
On the other hand, you seem to be in a materials oriented application. Do you have an EDS system? They often have, or can be upgraded to, digital imaging. This may be your best bet.
Ken Converse owner Quality Images third party SEM service Delta, PA
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hello Listers, } Due to the fact that Polaroid will soon stop production of 667 B&W instant } film, I have an immediate need for a digital camera for my JEOL T220 A SEM. } Any help (vendors welcome) would be appreciated on or off listserver. } Budget is around 2 - 3k. I am down to my last few boxes, and although I } still can reorder I prefer not to................ } } TIA } } Robert Fowler } Quality Assurance Technician (Failure Analysis) } TDK Components USA, Inc. } Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Division } 1 TDK Boulevard } Peachtree City GA 30269-2051 } Telephone: (770) 631-0410 Ext.315 } Fax: (770) 487-1460 } email: rfowler-at-tdktca.com } www.tdk.com } } } }
Dear Friends and Colleagues, To gain space, we have two Philips 201s for sale. They are serviced and are in excellent condition. If you are interested in one or both, please call or email Dr. Fred Roisen, Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY. Telephone: 502-852-5165. The email is fjrois01-at-gwise.louisville.edu Thank you very much. Kind regards to all. Beverly Giammara
For a simple low cost digital image option try looking at ImageSlave http://members.ozemail.com.au/~sbwisbey/imageslave.html
Ian
} Hello Listers, } Due to the fact that Polaroid will soon stop production of 667 B&W instant } film, I have an immediate need for a digital camera for my JEOL T220 A SEM. } Any help (vendors welcome) would be appreciated on or off listserver. } Budget is around 2 - 3k. I am down to my last few boxes, and although I } still can reorder I prefer not to................ } } TIA } } Robert Fowler } Quality Assurance Technician (Failure Analysis) } TDK Components USA, Inc. } Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Division } 1 TDK Boulevard } Peachtree City GA 30269-2051 } Telephone: (770) 631-0410 Ext.315 } Fax: (770) 487-1460 } email: rfowler-at-tdktca.com } www.tdk.com } }
Ian Hallett HortResearch Mt Albert Research Centre Private Bag 92 169 Auckland, New Zealand Fax 64-9-815 4201 Telephone 64-9-815 4200 EMail ihallett-at-hortresearch.co.nz
______________________________________________________ The contents of this e-mail are privileged and/or confidential to the named recipient and are not to be used by any other person and/or organisation. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender and delete all material pertaining to this e-mail. ______________________________________________________
Our facility also uses ImageSlaves for almost all our routine SEM imaging, we are very happy with them.
Sally
Sally Stowe ANU Electron Microscopy Unit http://www.anu.edu.au/EMU/index.html
} } } "IAN HALLETT" {ihallett-at-hortresearch.co.nz} 01/11/02 02:20PM } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Robert
For a simple low cost digital image option try looking at ImageSlave http://members.ozemail.com.au/~sbwisbey/imageslave.html
Ian
} Hello Listers, } Due to the fact that Polaroid will soon stop production of 667 B&W instant } film, I have an immediate need for a digital camera for my JEOL T220 A SEM. } Any help (vendors welcome) would be appreciated on or off listserver. } Budget is around 2 - 3k. I am down to my last few boxes, and although I } still can reorder I prefer not to................ } } TIA } } Robert Fowler } Quality Assurance Technician (Failure Analysis) } TDK Components USA, Inc. } Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Division } 1 TDK Boulevard } Peachtree City GA 30269-2051 } Telephone: (770) 631-0410 Ext.315 } Fax: (770) 487-1460 } email: rfowler-at-tdktca.com } www.tdk.com } }
Ian Hallett HortResearch Mt Albert Research Centre Private Bag 92 169 Auckland, New Zealand Fax 64-9-815 4201 Telephone 64-9-815 4200 EMail ihallett-at-hortresearch.co.nz
______________________________________________________ The contents of this e-mail are privileged and/or confidential to the named recipient and are not to be used by any other person and/or organisation. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender and delete all material pertaining to this e-mail. ______________________________________________________
On my searching activity, Randy Tindall, EM Specialist, Electron Microscopy Core Facility,University of Missouri, suggest me to send my email to the Microscopy Society of America listserver, which reaches many EM laboratories at universities and companies around the world and tell me this email address.
The followings are my letter of application for a postdoctoral position and my CV.
Dear
I am writing this E-mail to inquire about a postdoctoral position.
Throughout my academic and professional carrier, I have been quite well equipped with broad range of experimental techniques in biological electron microscopy.
(I have been responsibility of electron microscopy lab. for 10 years)
With your kind consideration, I would like to get further information about postdoctoral training and availability of financial support at your lab.
Thank you in advance for your deep concern at my scientific interest and further advanced career.
Sincerely yours
Hyun Woo Oh
Tel: +82-42-860-4255
Fax: +82-42-860-4677
E-mail: ohwoo-at-mail.kribb.re.kr
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Information
Name: Hyun Woo Oh
Sex: Male
Birth date: May 4, 1963
Family relation: Married, one son and one daughter
Birthplace: (Seoul)Korea
Present Address
Electron microscopy Lab,
Korean Collection for Type Cultures,
Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Eundong 52 Yusong, Taejon, Korea
Tel: 82-42-860-4255
Fax: 82-42-860-4677
E-mail: ohwoo-at-mail.kribb.re.kr
Education
1982 - 1986 Seoul National University B.S. Major on Entomology
1986 - 1990 Seoul National University M.S. Major on Entomology
1994 - 1999 Seoul National University Ph.D. Major on Entomology
Techniques
Maintain and operate all aspects of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and dark room works.
- Fix, embed, section, stain biological samples for transmission electron microscopy.
- Biological sample preparation for scanning electron microscopy.
- Examine and photograph thin sections using an electron microscope.
- Develop film and print micrographs.
- Prepare micrographs for publication.
- Make formvar or carbon coated grids.
- Order supplies and maintain inventory.
- Direct and occasionally perform the procurement and preparation of tissues(plant, animal), tissue culture specimens, microorganisms(bacteria, fungi, etc.) and other specimens of biological samples.
Recent Journal Articles
Lee, I.H., Y.H. JE, J.H. Chang, J.Y. Roh, H.W. Oh, S.G. Lee, S.C. Shin and K.S. Boo (2001) Isolation and characterization of a Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki strain toxic to Spodoptera exigua and Culex pipens. Current Microbiology 43:284-287
Hong, S.G., J. Chun, H.W. Oh and K.S. Bae (2001) Metschnikowia koreensis sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from flowers in korea. Int J Syst Evol Micrbial 51:1927-1931
Park, S.J., H.W. Oh, Y.N. Youn and H.Y. Park (2001) Structure of antennal sensilla on the adult asian ladybird, Hamonia axyridis Pallas(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Korean J. Electron Microscopy 31:91-99
Moon, E.Y., H.W. Oh, P.J. Maeng and K.S. Bae (2001) Identification of Enteric bacteria from Nephila clavata. Kor. J. Microbiol 37:1-8
Kim, M.G., H.W. Oh, H.M. Park and H.Y. Park (2000) Molecular identification of Wolbachia naturally infected in Thecodiplosis japonensis(Diptera: Cecidominideii) Korean J. Entomol. 30:139-146
Oh H.W., M.G. Kim, S.W. Shin K.S. Bae, Y.J. Ahn and H.Y. Park (2000) Ultrastructural and macular identification of Wolbachia endosymbiont in spider, Nephila clavata. Insect Mol Biol 9:539-543
Dear Colleague; For identification of fibers we use light microscope efficiently to identify fibers such as nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, etc. Now there are several type of fibers in market with one broad and general name. I would like to know: "Is it possible to identify regular polyester from anti- pill polyester, using light microscope? Will you please send me the answer to the following E-mail. With Regards. Dr. M. Haghighat Kish, Professor Synthetic Fiber Research Center Amirkabir University of Technology Hafez Ave. Tehran, Iran E-Mail: mhkish-at-cic.aku.ac.ir
Ask Jeol. Jeol Finland has developped a usefull system, the SEM-Aphore, to digitalise the SEM image in photo quality (3200x4000 pixel). In Europe it costs somethings like 8000E. It takes wunderfull images. Jeol US should be able to say you if it works on the T220 A. Collegues have it on a 840.
J. Faerber IPCMS-GSI (Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg Groupe Surface et Interfaces) 23, rue de Loess 67037 Strasbourg CEDEX France
I looked into EDMs a couple years ago for similar purposes and was not able to find any small-sized wire EDMs (for cutting complicated geometries). Instead we purchased a table-top ram-type EDM from US EDM Systems (800-837-6808, 7960 S. Roberts Rd., Bridgeview, IL 60455). You can cut TEM disks with a hollow cylinder and can slice material (up to about 4" wide) with the wire attachment. We've been generally happy with the versatility and performance of this machine so far. I was unaware of the Fullam and SBT models at that time, so I don't know how they compare.
Dick Fonda
_____________________________________________________________ Richard W. Fonda Naval Research Laboratory (202) 767-2622 Code 6324 (202) 767-2623 fax Washington DC 20375 _____________________________________________________________
At 2:37 PM -0500 1/10/02, "evgenia.pekarskaya-at-exxonmobil.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Robert, Have you tried the Polaroid Type 55 p/n film. Positives do have to be coated but the negatives give 7x the resolution of the positives and are what we are primarily interested in. Digital cameras are great for most SEM work but we still rely on film for situations requiring maximum resolution or when we expect to enlarge the image. Since we deal with primarily low atomic number samples (biological) the problem of "empty magnification" occurs at relatively low magnifications. Take the originals at higher mags is just not equivalent to taking them on film with the option of enlarging the print using a high quality photographic enlarger.
This is not to say that you should not digitize your instrument. We digitized an older instrument a few years ago. I find that most investigators take more pictures than formerly (very good for sampling reasons) and, of course, spend less in the process with less waste. I feel quite strongly that there is definite need for both options and am puzzled that many people buy new instruments without the option of a film camera. Someday digital will be equivalent but I question whether we are there now with the cameras usually supplied with the instruments. Debby
Debby Sherman Phone: 765-494-6666 Life Science Microscopy Facility FAX: 765-494-5896 Purdue University E-mail: dsherman-at-purdue.edu S-052 Whistler Building West Lafayette, IN 47907
On Thursday, January 10, 2002 2:05 PM, robert.fowler-at-tdktca.com {robert.fowler-at-tdktca.com-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) id HAA20410 for dist-Microscopy; Fri, 11 Jan 2002 07:38:37 -0600 (CST) Received: from no_more_spam.com (sparc5 [206.69.208.10]) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with SMTP id HAA20403 for "MicroscopyFilteredEmail1-at-msa.microscopy.com"; Fri, 11 Jan 2002 07:38:06 -0600 (CST) Received: from pc.threedee.com (mail.threedee.com [209.83.65.10]) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with ESMTP id HAA20396 for {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} ; Fri, 11 Jan 2002 07:37:55 -0600 (CST) Received: from gerber.threedee.com ([192.168.5.21]) by pc.threedee.com (8.11.0/8.11.0) with ESMTP id g0BDdoq07445 for {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} ; Fri, 11 Jan 2002 07:39:50 -0600 Message-Id: {5.0.0.25.0.20020111071843.02121e40-at-pc} X-Sender: jfoust-at-pc X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Version 5.0
At 03:20 PM 1/11/2002 +1200, IAN HALLETT wrote: } For a simple low cost digital image option try looking at ImageSlave } http://members.ozemail.com.au/~sbwisbey/imageslave.html
ImageSlave and its software look nice. Is there a price? Also, it seems to use a full-length 8-bit ISA slot, which is being quite rare these days in new PCs.
As a programmer and tinkerer, I can't help but wonder what speed and resolution of an analog-to-digital converter you'd need to watch the slow-scan video output of most SEMs, and to let the software detect the start and end of scan lines and image. Is 8-bit enough? Full-speed NTSC color capture devices are $50-100. You'd think it would be Simpy A Matter of Programming to tell them to scan less at slower speeds.
A while ago someone posted a question about reference EDS spectra for human source contamination (related to semiconductor manufacturing).
I found some references that I'm posting for anyone who's interested:
R.K. Lowry, et al., "Analysis of Human Contaminants Pinpoint Sources of IC Defects," Semiconductor International, July 1987, p. 73.
R.W. Thomas, "The Identification and Elimination of Human Contamination in the Manufacture of ICs," Proceedings of the 23rd International Reliability Physics Symposium, Mar. 26-28, 1985, Orlando, Fla., p. 228.
J.A. Lange, "Sources of Semiconductor Wafer Contamination," Semiconductor International, April 1983, p. 124.
You can find information on our small spark cutter which is designed for TEM applications by typing in the key word "TL-SC1" on our website. The price on the system is $1,895.
If you type in the keyword "EM", you will find an overview of our entire range of EM related products.
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear Colleagues, } } I am looking for a wire EDM (spark cutter) for both slicing specimens and } drilling holes (TEM disks). } Ideally, I would like to buy a model of a small size (not an industrial } scale), that could be put on top of a bench. } I made a search on the Web but it was not very successful. } I would appreciate if somebody could share his/her experience and recommend } a vendor, preferably in the US. } } Thank you very much. } Evgenia } } ********************************************************** } Evgenia Pekarskaya } ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Co. } 1545 Route 22 East, Rm. LB388 } Annandale, NJ, 08801 } Tel. (908) 730-2272 } Fax (908) 730-3355 } e-mail: evgenia.pekarskaya-at-exxonmobil.com
-- David Henriks TEL: +1-949-492-2600 South Bay Technology, Inc. FAX: +1-949-492-1499 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 USA e-mail: henriks-at-southbaytech.com
If your goal is not instant results, why not just use cut sheet 4x5" film? They fit in the same slot that the Polaroid holder does and cost about 10 cents a sheet. Of course they have to be processed in a darkroom but the image quality and tonal range is superior to Polaroid positives or PN film. Plus, their exposure latitude is much wider than Polaroid.
gary g.
At 11:05 AM 1/10/2002, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Research Professional in Electron Microscopy Center for High Resolution Electron Microscopy Arizona State University
The Center for Solid State Science seeks applicants for the position of Assistant/Associate/ Senior Research Professional. This appointment is a state-funded Academic Professional position on a year-to-year basis. Essential job functions of this position include: design and engineering of electronic circuits for analog and digital functions; working closely with faculty and students to design and manufacture items for research and development; testing circuit functions to the component level using direct and indirect trouble-shooting methods for failure diagnosis; and diagnosing and repairing vacuum and mechanical systems
Required Qualifications: Master's degree in physical or engineering sciences and five years of experience in electronic repair and maintenance of analytical equipment; or Bachelor's degree in physical or engineering sciences and 8 years of experience in electronic repair and maintenance of analytical equipment. Associate and Full Research Professional ranks also require a Doctorate degree in related area and/or additional extensive experience appropriate to rank.
Desired Qualifications: … Previous experience with electron microscopes … Experience with low and high power distribution systems … Demonstrated working knowledge of electron microscopy maintenance and repair
Further information about the Center for High Resolution Electron Microscopy can be found at www.asu.edu/clas/csss/chrem.
Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume/vitae with names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for three professional references to: CSSS Research Professional Search Committee, Center for Solid State Science, PO Box 1704, Arizona State University, Tempe Arizona, 85287-1704. Application deadline is January 28, 2002, or each Monday thereafter until position is filled.
Arizona State University is an AA/EO employer
John C. Wheatley Lab Manager Arizona State University Center for Solid State Science PSA-213 BOX 871704 Tempe, AZ 85287-1704
Ian Hallett wrote: ============================================ For a simple low cost digital image option try looking at ImageSlave http: //members.ozemail.com.au/~sbwisbey/imageslave.html
{ { {snip
} Hello Listers, } Due to the fact that Polaroid will soon stop production of 667 B&W instant } film, I have an immediate need for a digital camera for my JEOL T220 A SEM
ISA is certainly a dead end. Plus, 1Kx1K is not all that much resolution. If it does the job for some users, great. I find I mostly capture at 4Kx2600 for 1:5 aspect ratio (same as 35mm slide).
8-bits is plenty of bit depth I think. Regarding speed, it depends on pixel dwell time. This time affects image noise and how long you wait for the final image.
Check out these Excel files at http://photoweb.net
mag-ratios.xls dwelltime.xls
There are no links to them, so load them explicitly.
My ADDA unit will go down to 1.33uS dwell time. I find that about 7-10uS is optimal for any retained image. Rapid scan is used for histogram adjustment of contrast and brightness. Then the slow scan captures the image. If the image is intended for subsequent deconvolution focusing, I capture it as 16-bit pixels. This provides the greatest dynamic range for deconvolution. Otherwise, 8-bits is fine.
So essentially, the A/D conversion time is 1uS or slower. Not a big deal. Probably the main challenge that could occur with active scan systems are ground loops. By having proper isolation and good grounds, synchronizing to 60Hz will eliminate this problem.
As far as TV rate is concerned, it can be done. But I don't think it is a direct thing. Direct TV produces poor resolution. Slow scan with TV readout produces excellent results. Doing this requires a frame buffer which collects the scanned info and then outputs it at TV rate. This output can be easily frame grabbed at 640x480 8-bit pixels. There are some that are twice to three times this resolution. But the cost is not low.
gary g.
At 05:24 AM 1/11/2002, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Dear List Server group, Does anyone use phosphotungstic acid to stain tissue sections for tem? ( or use any other kind of non-radio active staining method ) I would appreciate any information on this subject. Thank you. Cindy Shannon cshannon-at-nctimes.net
Its a passive system. This can be simple or hard, depending on signal access for a particular SEM. I found that once spoiled by active scan, passive is passe.
Orion is not the only system with total isolation. The Soft-Imaging ADDA is fiber optic isolated between PC and SEM electronics. Perhaps Orion forgot about that?
gary g.
At 10:57 AM 1/12/2002, you wrote: } Orion has a PCI buss solution - see } http://www.bright.net/~secmhs/orion_information/orion_digital_imaging_system.htm } } } At 06:57 PM 1/11/02, you wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Orion has a PCI buss solution - see http://www.bright.net/~secmhs/orion_information/orion_digital_imaging_system.htm
At 06:57 PM 1/11/02, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I'd like to make one clarifying fine point about A/D conversion of active scan image capture.
Since the purpose of variable pixel dwell time is to realtime integrate the image captured, the detector output is not directly converted. I would expect that the detector output is fed to a sample & hold which precedes the A/D. The gate to the hold capacitor is enabled for the pixel dwell time. After this time, the gate is disabled and a conversion is initiated. Ideally, the conversion should be as fast as possible--since either the beam is still at the current position while it waits for completion of conversion, or the beam moves to the next pixel while conversion is still underway.
If it is the latter model, then integration is not totally correct. The beam would be in the new position but no data was being taken yet. Since this is a slow scan situation, it seems appropriate to leave the beam as it until the conversion is completed.
Admittedly a fine point. The folks who have already implemented these systems certainly would have already dealt with these issues. Those who are thinking about new systems or general theory of image capture may be interested in the finer points.
I am just curious. Did Evex Spam anybody else directly, using your post to the listserver, or did they single me out? I was surprised to receive anything from the Tarquinio brothers, and I made sure I scanned the attachment for viruses before I looked to see what they were sending out now.
Take care, Darrell Any views expressed are mine, and ABSOLUTELY not my employers.
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (ctoretta-at-mit.edu) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 14:47:51 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: ctoretta-at-mit.edu Name: Cara Toretta
Organization: MIT
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Question: I am doing research on a 1mm glass bead that is coated with a metal oxide. I am trying to take digital pictures of the bead to look for cracks. I am new to microscopy, so i was wondering how it could be done. I used a normal microscope where the light was emitted from the bottom, and nothing could really be seen. What is the best way to get a 30X image and where could i get one of these microscopes? Thanks.
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I take avantage of this topic to ask for help. I have an old EDM unit, the "Servomet Spark Machine" from Metals Research Limited in Cambridge, which works well in spite of it's say 35 years old. I have a lot of accessories, the instruction manual, but... a few pages of the manual are lacking, and of course these with the circuit diagrams.
I have tried to find if Metals Research still exists, with no results. So does a listmember knows something about that, or perheps has someone the same machine, and could send me these diagrams.
Thanks to all
J. Faerber IPCMS-GSI (Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg Groupe Surface et Interfaces) 23, rue de Loess 67037 Strasbourg CEDEX France
We have a VCR dimpler Model D500i which is not working. There seems to be an electronic problem, but so far we haven't been able to isolate the cause. Our main difficulty is that the manual has no diagrams of the circuits and that makes it twice as difficult to locate the origin of the problem. We have contacted South Bay Technology, who have acquired VCR, asking for such diagrams and the answer we got was "send us the equipment". I would like to know if anyone out there as experienced this kind of problems and/or if anyone knows where we could get the electronic diagrams of such a dimpler.
Thank you in advance,
Isabel
Isabel Nogueira Instituto Superior Técnico Dep. Materiais Avenida Rovisco Pais 1049-001 Lisboa Portugal tel.: +351 218418123 fax: +351 218418120 email: isabeln-at-popsrv.ist.utl.pt
I see you received an unsolicited e-mail. (Less then 20 emails sent total) OOPS! my apologies. Please disregard that email. Please rest assured the email was an adobe acrobat file, and anti-virus is installed on all machines.
Regards Peter Evex Analytical
Evex Analytical Microanalysis and Digital Imaging 857 State Road Princeton, NJ 08540 609-252-9192 T 609-252-9091 F www.evex.com sales-at-evex.com ----- Original Message ----- } From: "Darrell Miles" {milesd-at-US.ibm.com} To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 5:18 PM
Listies
I have wrinkles in my sections that are already on grids. The sections didn't appear to have wrinkles when I collected them.
Will chloroform work on wrinkles after the sections are on the grids?
Is there another method?
Tim Quinn University of Kansas Research Assistant Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center Dyche Hall Room 414 Lawrence, KS 6604-2454 785-864-4556 tquinn-at-ku.edu
Oh, I see. You 'accidentally' used one of my posts to send an "unsolicited e-mail." Spam is spam, no matter how you want to paint it, or how few your experiment reached.
Darrell
"Evex" {ptarq-at-ns1.tradezone.net} on 01/14/2002 09:08:23 AM
Please respond to "Evex" {ptarq-at-ns1.tradezone.net}
To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} , Darrell Miles/Fishkill/IBM-at-IBMUS cc:
Hi Cindy, We use PTA on thin sections for TEM to stain the collagen. We use a 1% solution in distilled water. Leave it as an acidic pH and filter at least twice through a #1 filter. Best to use it fresh. 30 min staining time done before UA and lead.
Bob Derm Research Center U of W Seattle
On Sat, 12 Jan 2002, Cindy Shannon wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Dear List Server group, } Does anyone use phosphotungstic acid to stain tissue sections for tem? } ( or use any other kind of non-radio active staining method ) } I would appreciate any information on this subject. } Thank you. } Cindy Shannon } cshannon-at-nctimes.net } } } }
Before this gets out of hand, I would like to ask that we drop this subject right now.
This is bordering on the personal side. There was an apology given.
Let's remember that Nestor moderates this forum very effectively and fairly.
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Glass Technology Center P. O. Box 11472 (letters) Guys Run Rd. (packages) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
Walck-at-PPG.com
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8515 (fax)
-----Original Message----- } From: Darrell Miles [mailto:milesd-at-US.ibm.com] Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 10:18 AM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Oh, I see. You 'accidentally' used one of my posts to send an "unsolicited e-mail." Spam is spam, no matter how you want to paint it, or how few your experiment reached.
Darrell
"Evex" {ptarq-at-ns1.tradezone.net} on 01/14/2002 09:08:23 AM
Please respond to "Evex" {ptarq-at-ns1.tradezone.net}
To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} , Darrell Miles/Fishkill/IBM-at-IBMUS cc:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
List members, I am in the process of organizing the session on Core Facility Management for M&M 2002. I would appreciate receiving contact information for the following:
1) names of staff members at your school/company who serve as on-site service engineers. These are individuals who maintain electron microscopes and related equipment that are not on OEM service contracts.
2) Individuals at academic institutions who are actively involved in doing microscopy for commercial companies.
3) Individuals from Private for-profit companies who do microscopy for commercial companies or academic institutions.
Thanks in advance, Debby
Debby Sherman Phone: 765-494-6666 Life Science Microscopy Facility FAX: 765-494-5896 Purdue University E-mail: dsherman-at-purdue.edu S-052 Whistler Building West Lafayette, IN 47907
by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) id OAA28807 for dist-Microscopy; Mon, 14 Jan 2002 14:25:36 -0600 (CST) Received: from no_more_spam.com (sparc5 [206.69.208.10]) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with SMTP id OAA28801 for "MicroscopyFilteredEmail1-at-msa.microscopy.com"; Mon, 14 Jan 2002 14:25:05 -0600 (CST) Received: from [206.69.208.21] (mac21.zaluzec.com [206.69.208.21]) by sparc5.microscopy.com (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.3) with ESMTP id OAA28794 for {Microscopy-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com} ; Mon, 14 Jan 2002 14:24:53 -0600 (CST) Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Sender: zaluzec-at-ultra5.microscopy.com Message-Id: {p05100300b868ed9e4866-at-[206.69.208.21]}
Dear listmembers,
We're getting to the point of seriously considering adding a digital camera and workstation to our Philips CM10 TEM. I was wondering if anyone has done a retrofit, what equipment worked well for them, etc. Thanks.
Mary
Mary McKee MGH Renal Unit Charlestown, MA 02129 (617)726-3696
I would recommend taking a close look at Emispec Systems, Inc. Their system offers the capability for future expansion that includes all detectors associated with TEM, should your needs from just digital imaging.
Bob Roberts EM Lab Services, Inc. 2409 S. Rural Rd Suite C Tempe, Arizona 85282 480.967.3946
Mary McKee wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Dear listmembers, } } We're getting to the point of seriously considering adding a digital } camera } and workstation to our Philips CM10 TEM. I was wondering if anyone } has done } a retrofit, what equipment worked well for them, etc. Thanks. } } Mary } } Mary McKee } MGH Renal Unit } Charlestown, MA 02129 } (617)726-3696 } }
you are not the only one in this situation. We have had a number of people who called us and asked the same question. So perhaps a bit of general information helps everybody.
Replacing your Polaroid unit with a digital camera may be doable, but is definitely not straightforward. your Polaroid unit consists of a high resolution CRT and a Polaroid camera. It may be possible to take out the camera and put in a digital camera instead, but there are certain things you need to keep in mind and they may well create problems that can't be overcome. First, you would have to find a lens, which would allow you to image the monitor without distortions. You could probably use a macro lens, but depending on the distance from the monitor and the lens, you could potential introduce distortions. Second, you need to be able to use an exposure time of however long it takes to take a photo (2 minutes?). That may not be possible, depending on software and camera. You may also need a cooled camera to reduce the amount of dark current accumulated during this time. Third, the camera is digital with discrete pixels in X and Y. The phototube is analog in X, but discrete in Y direction. If you are not careful, you can create Moire Effects from mismatch between the number of lines and the Y-resolution of the camera. Fourth, I am not so sure, what kind of non-linearities in the signals are created by the detector-amplifier-CRT-camera chain.
This leaves of course the direct acquisition of the image signals. If your SEM has a TV output, you can certainly use a relatively cheap image acquisition card. However, you would have to run your SEM in TV mode to use this. The problem is, that TV is pretty much limited to 640x480x8 (NTSC) or 756x564x8 (PAL), i.e., low resolution. If you purchase one of those cards, stay away from ISA cards. That's technology that went out of fashion with the Pentium computers, and computers with ISA slots are hard to find these days. Even worse is EISA, which was never very popular to begin with. The current technology uses PCI slots, with many cards probably moving to FireWire (IEEE 1394) in the near future. You also want to make sure you can frame average to reduce noise. Unfortunately, it is not so easy to digitize the signals from non-standard signals. If you have NTSC or PAL, which are TV standards, it is very simple to acquire and decode the signals, simply because they are standards, and precisely defined. However, the slower scan (non-standard) signals require, that one can change timings and/or levels and delays to identify line retrace and screen retrace signals. This makes them much more expensive. There is simply no mass production for these devices.
I will not further comment on Gary Gaugler's excellent remarks about passive and active systems and optical data transmission (suffice it to say that we were to my knowledge the first ones to implement it).
To summarize: There are various options to replace a Polaroid unit on an SEM. The price range of 2-3K is a bit "optimistic", as these devices cannot be "mass-produced" like frame grabbers, around 10K is a more realistic price. On the other hand, you save about $2-$3 per photo, and do not create a lot of chemical waste in the process. I'd be more than happy to discuss this in more detail with you, but we should probably not do that on the list server.
Mike
Michael Bode, Ph.D. Soft Imaging System Corp. 1675 Carr St., #105N Lakewood, CO 80215 =================================== phone: (888) FIND SIS (303) 234-9270 fax: (303) 234-9271 email: mailto:info-at-soft-imaging.com web: http://www.soft-imaging.com ===================================
-----Original Message----- } From: "robert.fowler-at-tdktca.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com [mailto:"robert.fowler-at-tdktca.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2002 12:06 PM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Hello Listers, Due to the fact that Polaroid will soon stop production of 667 B&W instant film, I have an immediate need for a digital camera for my JEOL T220 A SEM. Any help (vendors welcome) would be appreciated on or off listserver. Budget is around 2 - 3k. I am down to my last few boxes, and although I still can reorder I prefer not to................
TIA
Robert Fowler Quality Assurance Technician (Failure Analysis) TDK Components USA, Inc. Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Division 1 TDK Boulevard Peachtree City GA 30269-2051 Telephone: (770) 631-0410 Ext.315 Fax: (770) 487-1460 email: rfowler-at-tdktca.com www.tdk.com
Dear Cindy: Phosphotungstic acid has indeed been used, but as a substitute for uranyl acetate stain, I much prefer bismuth for staining sections on grids. Bismuth tends to act as a general contrast enhancing stain for sections due in part to its ability to interact with reduced osmium. It stains DNA, ferritin, glycogen, lysosomes, polysaccharides, and ribosomes. The one caveat is that at high mags bismuth stain graininess becomes apparent. Bismuth can be used with uranyl and lead stain to achieve an even greater contrast enhancing effect. Hope this helps, Henry
Cindy Shannon wrote:............................. "Dear List Server group, Does anyone use phosphotungstic acid to stain tissue sections for tem? ( or use any other kind of non-radio active staining method ) I would appreciate any information on this subject. Thank you. Cindy Shannon cshannon-at-nctimes.net"
Looking for anyone who is using Low Vacuum (poor vacuum) SEM to image and characterize insulating polymer materials. I am not very familiar with this type of system but understand the basic idea of how it works. Want to explore the practical side of looking at non-coated insulators or water containing samples from both an imaging and EDS analysis perspective.
Prefer direct replies.
Thanks
Roy Beavers Southern Methodist University Dept. of Geological Sciences Electron Microprobe Lab P.O. Box 750395 Dallas, Tx 75275 voice: 214-768-2756 fax: 214-768-2701 E-mail: rbeavers-at-mail.smu.edu
Your problem is a good example of the general problem of defining inspection criteria, since the lighting may critically influence what one can see. I once had a similar problem looking for cracks in a graphite coating on quartz fibers. The answerto your question depends a bit on the size of the cracks and the opacity and reflectivityof the oxide coated surface. But you should ensure that you have a lighting set up that allows you to dependably see the cracks before worrying about the camera. Most of the digital cameras that can be used with a microscope would probably be adequate to recording the crack, once you get the viewing situation set up.
Low magnification approaches include the following: You might first try the microscope that you used before with lighting as follows: If it has a condenser lens below the sample position, experiment with placing a sheet of something opaque with a small hole in it in the light path so that the light is blocked from passing around your sample. Then you will have a better chance to see any light passing through your glass bead due to a crack in the coating. You might want to turn off the room lights to get the best view.
Alternatively, you could arrange for "dark field" illumination by doing the opposite: cut some disks (or try some coins in different sizes) and hold them with tweezers in the lightpath beneath the condenser lens so that light cannot pass through the sample bead directly but must bounce off the sides of the sample to be seen. This may be effective if the bare glass in the cracks is more reflective than the coating.
A 1mm round object could be observed well under a stereo-binocular microscope common in many biology labs as a "dissecting microscope". This has the advantage of an upright image that will make turning the sphere to view it from all sides easier, and it has good "depth of field". However, you would need to arrange the lighting to suit your problem and if the cracks are very narrow, you might have to inspect at a magnification that exceeds the upper limit of such a 'scope. The light generally comes from above on such a microscope. Some microscopes of this kind are equipped with a "ring light", a small fluorescent lamp or a fiber optic fixture around the lens that gives a very diffuse light. This might be helpful if both the bead and the coating are shiny and tend to reflect strongly.
Another low mag ( or no mag!) approach might be possible with a fiber optic lamp if one is available and your coating is opaque. If you make an opaque cover to fit over the end of the fiber optic with a hole in it that is smaller than 1mm, you might be able to see light projected through a crack when you place the bead over the hole. Again, use a darkened room to see the light projected through the bead. If this works, orient the fiber optic and bead so that they can be observed with the microscope while you're doing this.
For very narrow cracks there may be no alternative to using magnification that is too high to allow you to see the entire bead in focus at one time. In that case, there may be no alternative to racking the focus up and down and systematically rotating the bead to all orientations. If you can find a metallurgical microscope (engineering, materials science departments) it will have a simple means of switching between bright field and dark field reflected light. Either could be best, depending on the reflectivities involved.
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to } ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com} } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was } submitted by (ctoretta-at-mit.edu {mailto:ctoretta-at-mit.edu} ) from } http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Sunday, } January 13, 2002 at 14:47:51 } --------------------------------------------------------------------------- } } } Email: ctoretta-at-mit.edu {mailto:ctoretta-at-mit.edu} } Name: Cara Toretta } } Organization: MIT } } Education: Undergraduate College } } Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts } } Question: I am doing research on a 1mm glass bead that is coated with } a metal oxide. I am trying to take digital pictures of the bead to } look for cracks. I am new to microscopy, so i was wondering how it } could be done. I used a normal microscope where the light was emitted } from the bottom, and nothing could really be seen. What is the best } way to get a 30X image and where could i get one of these microscopes? } Thanks. } } --------------------------------------------------------------------------- } } } }
I am a scientific photographer, but have done little in the way of photomicroscopy. I am in the process of evaluating compound microscopes for purchase to use specifically with a Nikon D1X professional digital camera. I will be taking brightfield photomicrographs of prepared botanical specimens (such as root cross sections, anther cross sections, etc.). I would like to speak to anyone who has used a Nikon D series digital camera on a compound microscope in similar photomicroscopy applications. Perhaps you can help me avoid making an expensive purchasing error.
Thank you very much, and please feel free to reply privately if you feel most of the list would not be interested.
Debbie, In general, I fully agree with you, especially for those still using ETECs because the recording system can actually resolve all 2000 lines in a scan. However, I was recently at JEOL headquarters in Danvers, MA and saw sometruly outstanding digital images in their lobby. They are several feet squareand digitally scanned at 16k x 16k (at least one was made up of 4 of these).
File size still presents a major problemfor digital as you could only fit 2 of these on a CD-R (256M each or 2 CD-Rs for the 4 part montage). However, 2k x 2k (4M file) is much more reasonable than it was just a couple of years ago in terms of both storage costs and processing time and 4k x 4k, I feel, is probably as good as you'll see off a CRT at 2000 lines. Of course if you're just printing on plain paper, you'll never get an equivalent image, but if you use "photo" paper in your inkjet, you're up to a buck a shot, and still not quite as good as film. For those who ponder this quandry, try glossy brochure paper. It's a lot cheaper and works almost as well as the "photo" paper.
It pains me to see the lack of interest in high quality photographs in all areas, but the digital is rapidly getting better, as are the inkjet printers.
Ken Converse owner Quality Images third party SEM service Delta, PA
Debby Sherman wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com} } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Robert, } Have you tried the Polaroid Type 55 p/n film. Positives do have to be coated but the negatives give 7x the resolution of the positives and are what we are primarily interested in. Digital cameras are great for most SEM work but we still rely on film for situations requiring maximum resolution or when we expect to enlarge the image. Since we deal with primarily low atomic number samples (biological) the problem of "empty magnification" occurs at relatively low magnifications. Take the originals at higher mags is just not equivalent to taking them on film with the option of enlarging the print using a high quality photographic enlarger. } } This is not to say that you should not digitize your instrument. We digitized an older instrument a few years ago. I find that most investigators take more pictures than formerly (very good for sampling reasons) and, of course, spend less in the process with less waste. I feel quite strongly that there is definite need for both options and am puzzled that many people buy new instruments without the option of a film camera. Someday digital will be equivalent but I question whether we are there now with the cameras usually supplied with the instruments. } Debby } } Debby Sherman Phone: 765-494-6666 } Life Science Microscopy Facility FAX: 765-494-5896 } Purdue University E-mail: dsherman-at-purdue.edu {mailto:dsherman-at-purdue.edu} } S-052 Whistler Building } West Lafayette, IN 47907 } } On Thursday, January 10, 2002 2:05 PM, robert.fowler-at-tdktca.com {mailto:robert.fowler-at-tdktca.com} {robert.fowler-at-tdktca.com-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} {mailto:robert.fowler-at-tdktca.com-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} wrote: } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com {mailto:ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com} } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } Hello Listers, } } Due to the fact that Polaroid will soon stop production of 667 B&W instant } } film, I have an immediate need for a digital camera for my JEOL T220 A SEM. } } Any help (vendors welcome) would be appreciated on or off listserver. } } Budget is around 2 - 3k. I am down to my last few boxes, and although I } } still can reorder I prefer not to................ } } } } TIA } } } } Robert Fowler } } Quality Assurance Technician (Failure Analysis) } } TDK Components USA, Inc. } } Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Division } } 1 TDK Boulevard } } Peachtree City GA 30269-2051 } } Telephone: (770) 631-0410 Ext.315 } } Fax: (770) 487-1460 } } email: rfowler-at-tdktca.com {mailto:rfowler-at-tdktca.com} } } www.tdk.com {http://www.tdk.com} } } } }
I would be grateful if you would post your bismuth staining protocol.
Dave
On Mon, 14 Jan 2002 18:52:34 -0500 Henry Eichelberger {heichelb-at-binghamton.edu} wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Dear Cindy: } Phosphotungstic acid has indeed been used, but as a substitute for uranyl } acetate stain, I much prefer bismuth for staining sections on grids. } Bismuth tends to act as a general contrast enhancing stain for sections due } in part to its ability to interact with reduced osmium. It stains DNA, } ferritin, glycogen, lysosomes, polysaccharides, and ribosomes. The one } caveat is that at high mags bismuth stain graininess becomes apparent. } Bismuth can be used with uranyl and lead stain to achieve an even greater } contrast enhancing effect. } Hope this helps, } Henry } } Cindy Shannon wrote:............................. } "Dear List Server group, } Does anyone use phosphotungstic acid to stain tissue sections for tem? } ( or use any other kind of non-radio active staining method ) } I would appreciate any information on this subject. } Thank you. } Cindy Shannon } cshannon-at-nctimes.net" } } } }
---------------------------------------- Patton, David Email: David.Patton-at-uwe.ac.uk "University of the West of England"
I'd like to obtain permission to reproduce a figure from a paper in Scanning Microscopy Supplement, Volume 10 (1996), a.k.a the Proceedings of the 14th Pfefferkorn Conference. The publisher is listed as Scanning Microscopy International, with the following contact information:
Dr. Om Johari P.O. Box 66507 Chicago (A.M.F. O'Hare), IL 60666-0507 USA
But... the phone number has been disconnected, there's no reply to mail or e-mail, and the web address gives a "page not found" default (in Swedish); searching this ISP gave me no results, and neither do the regular search engines (Google, etc.).
Does anyone know what happened to Scanning Microscopy International and how to contact them, or who owns the copyright to this publication now?
Thanks in advance,
Rick Powell
***************************************************************************************** Richard D. Powell * rpowell-at-nanoprobes.com * www.nanoprobes.com NANOPROBES, Incorporated 95 Horse Block Road, Yaphank, NY 11980-9710, USA
Sign up for our newsletter: http://www.nanoprobes.com/Newsletter.html *****************************************************************************************
As I am sure you are already aware, the deadline for abstracts for the 15th International Conference on Electron Microscopy, Durban, South Africa (http://www.icem15.com) is Febuary 1st - rapidly approaching. I am organizing a session on "Instrumentation and Characterization of Surfaces". Loosely I would describe the session as covering:
a) All TEM/SEM/STEM based techniques for obtaining surface sensitive signals from surfaces, particularly under controlled conditions (e.g. UHV, controlled gas).
b) All TEM/SEM/STEM techniques for obtaining nanoscale or atomic scale information from surfaces. This would include both profile and plan view imaging of surfaces.
c) Any new types of instrumentation for obtaining surface information.
d) Other types of surface microscopies, for instance HREM in plan or profile modes, LEEM, PEEM, REM.
e) New methods of obtaining atomic-scale surface information, e.g. Direct Methods.
f) Applications of surface-sensitive techniques to problems, e.g. heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor or oxide growth.
I hope you will have the opportunity to submit an abstract. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
----------------------------------------------- Laurence Marks Department of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University Evanston, IL 60201, USA Tel: (847) 491-3996 Fax: (847) 491-7820 mailto:ldm-at-risc4.numis.nwu.edu http://www.numis.nwu.edu -----------------------------------------------
Here at our departement I've been using the Nikon D1 on a Zeiss Stemi 2000 C and Sv 11 to take photo's of whole mice and organs. I've to say that with 800 ISO I still needed a shutter time of about more than 1/10 to get a bright image, but you can fix the camera, so that's not a real problem in general, only when taking images of live mice it's not always easy. The Stemi is a stereomicroscope , I don't know if it's such a one you would like to use?! The only "problem", don't call it a real problem, but you know what I mean, is to set up the correct white balance. When you make a small change in the light intensity of the microscope, it can result in a big change for the white balance. But in general, I, and the professors/students, are very satisfied with the results. I hope I was of some help for you, if you need some more info, feel free to ask! Best regards,
Sven
__________________________________________ Sven Terclavers Research Assistent Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy Campus Gasthuisberg O/N Herestraat 49 3000 Leuven Belgium ___________________________________________
----- Original Message ----- } From: {"JLCastner-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } To: {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com} } Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 3:19 AM } Subject: Brightfield Photomicroscopy w Nikon D1X Camera } } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } Hello All, } } } } I am a scientific photographer, but have done little in the way of } } photomicroscopy. I am in the process of evaluating compound microscopes } for } } purchase to use specifically with a Nikon D1X professional digital camera. } I } } will be taking brightfield photomicrographs of prepared botanical } specimens } } (such as root cross sections, anther cross sections, etc.). I would like } to } } speak to anyone who has used a Nikon D series digital camera on a compound } } microscope in similar photomicroscopy applications. Perhaps you can help } me } } avoid making an expensive purchasing error. } } } } Thank you very much, and please feel free to reply privately if you } feel } } most of the list would not be interested. } } } } Sincerely, } } } } Jim Castner } } 352-371-6439 } } jlcastner-at-aol.com } } } } }
Dear Colleagues; We have a HITACHI SEM. We use Polaroid Type 52 for making pictures. Is there any replacement for this type of film without replacing the holder on the microscope? Where one can buy this type of film? Type 52 seems to be very rare and it can not be found in the market. M. H. Kish mhkish-at-cic.aku.ac.ir
} Can anyone recommend a market research firm or consultant to conduct a } study on an optical instrument to be used in microscopy. Please, respond } to moshkovskiy-at-rochester.mellesgriot.com } } Thank you, } } Val Moshkovskiy }
I would like to buy a 60 or 100 X objective for one of our Leitz Laborlux 11 pol. I have seen a couple on ebay but am reluctant. I am not sure they would fit. Is there a more dependable source?
The documentation that came with our Leitz scopes has drifted away.
Thanks. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Tom Hanley, Department of Chemistry and Geology, Columbus State U., 4225 University Ave., Columbus, Georgia 31907-5645. Links to the ACRES project and to 1998 and 1999 pictures I took in Panama may be found at: http://chemgeo.ColState.edu/th_hp.htm VOX: 706-568-2075; FAX: 706-569-3133.
Quebec City will hot the Microscopy & Microanalysis 2002 Meeting on August 4-8. Deadline for abstract submission is February 15. All information concerning the scientific program and the abstract submission process is available on the MSA web site at the following URL address:
Quebec City is an exciting destination also for you vacation. The local French culture is charming and people are very open to visitors. The historic Old City as well as the close wild nature of the Laurentides are a Guarantee of the success of your next summer vacation. For a foretaste of Quebec City, please check the Local Arrangement Committee web site at:
http://msc.rsvs.ulaval.ca
Pierre M. Charest, Chair LAC - M&M 2002 pcharest-at-rsvs.ulaval.ca -- ****************************************** MICROSCOPY& MICROANALYSIS 2002 QUEBEC CITY 4-8 AUGUST 2002 VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT: http://msc.rsvs.ulaval.ca/2002/2002.html http://www.microscopy.com/MSAMeetings/MMMeeting.html ****************************************** Dr. Pierre M. Charest, Professeur titulaire Departement de phytologie Pavillon C.-E. Marchand, bureau 4245 Universite Laval Sainte-Foy, Que., CANADA G1K 7P4 Tél. (418) 656-7792 (bur), 656-2131 #6629 (lab) Fax (418) 656-7176 Email: pcharest-at-rsvs.ulaval.ca http://msc.rsvs.ulaval.ca http://www.rsvs.ulaval.ca/ http://alpha.eru.ulaval.ca/phytowww/CV/pm_charest.html http://www.crefsip.ulaval.ca/ ******************************************
I have a Nikon SMZ-U and Nikon optiphot 2 microscope that I am trying to adapt to digital photography. Both have trinocular tubes and are hooked up to a Nikon HFX-DX 35 mm camera system. I was informed that the Nikon coolpix 5000 cannot be adapted to these microscopes because Nikon does not (and does not plan to) make a lens for this. As a result I purchased their coolpix MDC lens and a Diagnostic instruments, Inc. Part # D 10 NLC C-Mount for a 38 mm ISO port to adapt for the Nikon Coolpix 995 . I have since learned that a stop-down ring is made for the coolpix 5000 to adapt it to optional lenses for the coolpix 995. Would this work with the microscopes or would parfocality be a problem?
I have been told that the megapixel difference between the two cameras will not make any difference to image quality particularly at higher mag since the microsocope aperture size will limit this anyway.
Part of the issue here is that the camera will also be used for outdoor photography and close-ups. Although the megapixels may not make a difference for microscopy it will make a difference for outdoor shots where the images will be blown up considerably.
Any advice would be most appreciated. Please send the information directly to me and I will summarize for the group.
Sincerely,
Robin
Robin W. Scribailo Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Director of the Aquatic Plant Herbarium Biological Sciences Purdue University North Central 1401 S. U.S. 421 Westville, IN 46391-9528 (219) 785-5255 Fax (219) 785-5483
A colleague is planning to investigate collagen reinforcement in natural tissues using the TEM. Part of the project is to measure the diameter and spacing of the collagen fibrils. However they are finding that the preparation of the tissue is changing both the diameters and spacing of the fibres.
Has anyone suggestions/comments on how to improve tissue structure or any other alternative methods.
thanks
Kevin Electron Microscope unit Department of Zoology University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 2TZ
Tel 01224-272847 Fax 01224-272396 ------------ Kevin Mackenzie k.s.mackenzie-at-abdn.ac.uk
Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis is a one-day short course to be held on Sunday March 17, 2002 at PITTCON 2002 in New Orleans. The course is an introduction to SEM, TEM and x-ray microanalysis and is designed for analytical chemists and others who need to use these techniques for industrial problem-solving and product research and development. For more information and online registration visit www.pittcon.org. The short course is number 229 and can be found under the Microscopy section on the Short Courses web page.
Mark Germani, Ph.D. MicroMaterials Research, Inc. 136 Shore Drive, #200 Burr Ridge, IL 60521
Rick, The organization is Scanning and you can find them at www.scanning-fams.org.
Dr.Tina S. Schwach, President Microscopy Consulting Services Inc. 651-681-0112 ----- Original Message ----- } From: Rick Powell at Nanoprobes To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 2:16 PM
Hello Microscopists:
I'd like to obtain permission to reproduce a figure from a paper in Scanning Microscopy Supplement, Volume 10 (1996), a.k.a the Proceedings of the 14th Pfefferkorn Conference. The publisher is listed as Scanning Microscopy International, with the following contact information:
Dr. Om Johari P.O. Box 66507 Chicago (A.M.F. O'Hare), IL 60666-0507 USA
But... the phone number has been disconnected, there's no reply to mail or e-mail, and the web address gives a "page not found" default (in Swedish); searching this ISP gave me no results, and neither do the regular search engines (Google, etc.).
Does anyone know what happened to Scanning Microscopy International and how to contact them, or who owns the copyright to this publication now?
Thanks in advance,
Rick Powell
**************************************************************************** ************* Richard D. Powell * rpowell-at-nanoprobes.com * www.nanoprobes.com NANOPROBES, Incorporated 95 Horse Block Road, Yaphank, NY 11980-9710, USA
Sign up for our newsletter: http://www.nanoprobes.com/Newsletter.html **************************************************************************** *************
Richard Murphy is an excellent service engineer and who worked for ISI for many years. He gave me great support when I was at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and elsewhere. I will forward his pager number to you.
Best Regards, Ken Gaugler
S Keller wrote:
} } } Hi All: } There was a thread about ISI service. Who } is now responsible for their service? } Thanks in advance, } Sandra } }
-- Ken Gaugler Santa Clara, CA. ~~ spark: N6OSK ~~ PGP: 2EF7 437E 1D0B 602D BC2C 92D1 A548 C11B B901 8CDE
Hi Tina, I humbly suggest that you are making a mistake. What this guy is looking for is what us old folks called the "SEM Conference" - which Om Johari ran for many years and which he closed down a number of years ago. "Scanning", a meeting and a publication, is a more recent operation run by the FAMS group and which is still in existance. I do not believe, and I could be wrong, that the new "SCANNING" acquired the old "SEM Conference". The last address that I had for Om has been given to the requester. Regards, Don Grimes, Microscopy Today
-----Original Message----- } From: Tina Schwach [mailto:tschwach-at-mindspring.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 11:47 AM To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com; Rick Powell at Nanoprobes
Rick, The organization is Scanning and you can find them at www.scanning-fams.org.
Dr.Tina S. Schwach, President Microscopy Consulting Services Inc. 651-681-0112 ----- Original Message ----- } From: Rick Powell at Nanoprobes To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 2:16 PM
Hello Microscopists:
I'd like to obtain permission to reproduce a figure from a paper in Scanning Microscopy Supplement, Volume 10 (1996), a.k.a the Proceedings of the 14th Pfefferkorn Conference. The publisher is listed as Scanning Microscopy International, with the following contact information:
Dr. Om Johari P.O. Box 66507 Chicago (A.M.F. O'Hare), IL 60666-0507 USA
But... the phone number has been disconnected, there's no reply to mail or e-mail, and the web address gives a "page not found" default (in Swedish); searching this ISP gave me no results, and neither do the regular search engines (Google, etc.).
Does anyone know what happened to Scanning Microscopy International and how to contact them, or who owns the copyright to this publication now?
Thanks in advance,
Rick Powell
**************************************************************************** ************* Richard D. Powell * rpowell-at-nanoprobes.com * www.nanoprobes.com NANOPROBES, Incorporated 95 Horse Block Road, Yaphank, NY 11980-9710, USA
Sign up for our newsletter: http://www.nanoprobes.com/Newsletter.html **************************************************************************** *************
All: the Texas Society for Microscopy Spring meeting will be held in Fort Worth, TX on April 18-20 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth Tx. Please see our website at http://www.microscopy.cjb.net/ for more details. Schedules and registration will be available at a later date. Any questions about the meeting should be directed to Alice Stacey, Program Chair. Her email address is kevalc-at-earthlink.net.
-- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Becky Holdford (r-holdford-at-ti.com) webmaster for TSM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We routinely use a potassium iodide mixture off the shelf made by Acton Industries, Pennsylvania, USA, on GaAs semiconductors. It's called "GE-6". I imagine for "gold etch." The pure Au metal is ~ 3.5 uM and is removed cleanly by this material. The only caveat is that it attacks exposed GaAs very quickly.
If anyone needs details, please contact me directly.
Peter Tomic Group Leader Failure Analysis & Analytical Services Anadigics, Inc. Warren, New Jersey
-----Original Message----- } From: David Henriks [mailto:henriks-at-southbaytech.com] Sent: Monday, January 07, 2002 3:41 PM To: c.jeffree-at-ed.ac.uk Cc: Microscopy Listerver
Chris:
A similar question arose on another listserver, although it was removing a 2 mciron gold metallizton from GaAs. The responses from there were as follows:
Response 1 "Greetings!
It is possible that a cut or buffered aqua regia might do the trick. I have had some success with the recipe below on Au metallization at M2 and above on GaAs dice. The interlayer dielectric was silicon dioxide, so there was not a lot of seepage into the die substrate layer - this, more than the recipe, might have kept the damage down. Assuming SiO2 as the ILD on all layers of your part, this might still work:
50 ml deionized water
30 ml HCl
20 ml HNO3
Swirl or agitate the part in the solution for five minutes. Inspect and repeat once if needed.
One minute rinse in deionized water, followed by 30 seconds rinse in acetone. Dry under heat lamp to minimize surface staining.
As always, try this on a practice part first in case this does not buffer the reaction with GaAs enough.
Good Luck !
Regards,
Carl Nail National Semiconductor Carl.Nail-at-nsc.com"
Response 2 "A solution of potassium iodide and iodine in water is a decent gold etch. I have no idea how it would affect GaAs, but I suspect it would be less destructive than Aqua Regia.
Alan Street alan-at-irsi.com"
I hope this helps!
David
Chris Jeffree wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear All } } I have been asked for methods of removing the gold sputtered } coating from } polished geological specimens that have been used as SEM } specimens. I have suggested washing with mercury, or alkaline } sodium cyanide solution, or ammonium thiocyanate solution. } } Are there any other methods which would be preferable? } } Best wishes, and Happy New Year } } Chris } ========================================== } Dr. Chris Jeffree } University of Edinburgh } BIOSEM - Biological Sciences Electron Microscope Facility } Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology } Waddington Building } King's Buildings, Mayfield Road } EDINBURGH, EH9 3JN, Scotland, UK } Tel. #44 (0) 131 650 5554 } FAX. #44 (0) 131 650 6563 } Mobile 07710 585 401 } email c.jeffree-at-ed.ac.uk } =========================================
-- David Henriks TEL: +1-949-492-2600 South Bay Technology, Inc. FAX: +1-949-492-1499 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 USA e-mail: henriks-at-southbaytech.com
I am a media artist based in Canada. I am presently working on a low budget, art funded DVD project destined for non-profit art gallery use.
The work is a philosophic and poetic look at evolution and bio-diversity.
I am very interested in getting and using some of the video members may have made on life forms such as viruses, bacteria, etc.
I would be also interested in acquiring from you a high quality beta-sp or preferable dv tape you might have of these studies as well as other studies you may have of microscopic life forms/elements dna, diatoms, etc. Full credit to your organization (and the videographer if desired) would be given in the final piece. I would pay for all shipping and handling costs.
The video and images would be a small component of a much longer work.
My last work recently screened at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and I have had shows at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and at many other prestigious venues around the world. I include my bio. below.
Please get back to me regarding my request.
Best Wishes, Oliver Hockenhull Contact: hereticfilms-at-shaw.ca
Val Moshkovskiy wrote: ========================================================== Can anyone recommend a market research firm or consultant to conduct a study on an optical instrument to be used in microscopy. ============================================================ We have used in the past the following group:
Microscopy/Marketing & Education 125 Paridon Street, Suite 102 Springfield, MA 01118-2140 PH: (413) 746-6931 FX: (413) 746-9311 Email: mme-at-map.com
Our contact there is Ms. Barbara Foster. We have no financial interest in this firm, we are just a satisfied client.
Chuck
=================================================== Charles A. Garber, Ph. D. Ph: 1-(610)-436-5400 President 1-(800)-2424-SPI SPI SUPPLIES FAX: 1-(610)-436-5755 PO BOX 656 e-mail: cgarber-at-2spi.com West Chester, PA 19381-0656 USA Cust. Service: spi2spi-at-2spi.com
Look for us! ############################ WWW: http://www.2spi.com ############################ ==================================================
Hi all A good new year to all from all of us down here in sunny South Africa.
News on the 15th International Conference on Electron Microscopy ( ICEM 15 ) to be held in South Africa, is that things are well in hand. The Scientific Programme is filling up very quickly and promising to be very interesting. ( http://www.icem15.com/Scientific%20Prog.htm )
Tourists to the country will also be glad to hear that the South African currency is moving in their favour !!!
Just for those who have not heard of ICEM before, this conference does not only cover electron microscopy but all disciplines of microscopy. Come along and see for your self.
We are also pleased that the world Earth Summit, Johannesburg, has rescheduled their conference to the week before ICEM 15 and not in the same week as was planned. This conference will attract an estimated 60,000 delegates to Johannesburg, South Africa, which would have made flight bookings a bit of a problem.( For more on this summit http://www.joburgsummit2002.com/ ) However we do suggest that you do get your booking done as soon as possible as most delegates of the earth summit are sure to visit Durban just to see the beaches. Your travel bookings can be done via the Turners website ( http://www.turners.co.za/icem15/default.htm ) who are the conference organisers and travel agents.
However, the main reason for the email is as a reminder that abstracts must be in by February 2002. Yes, you should panic, that is only a few weeks away. Please make sure you get them in on time. If you are having any problems please consult with the relevant people for your session.
Should you have any further questions, queries or simply would like to see the current scientific programme, please consult www.icem15.com website for more details .
Any suppliers still interested in exhibiting should also contact us fairly quickly, as there are not many stands left.
Best regards and look forward to seeing all 1500, and more, of you at the beach in Durban.
We utilize both digital photography and type 52 polariod in our metallographic and SEM lab areas. We buy the type 52 film (by the case) from: Laube Photo and Digital Imaging 151 West Exchange Street Akron, OH 44302 1-800-395-2748
Kelly A. Ramos Argo-Tech Corporation Materials Laboratories Metallurgical Engineer/Supervisor 23555 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44117 216-692-5904 (or 216-692-5446) FAX---} 216-692-5816
Dear Colleagues; We have a HITACHI SEM. We use Polaroid Type 52 for making pictures. Is there any replacement for this type of film without replacing the holder on the microscope? Where one can buy this type of film? Type 52 seems to be very rare and it can not be found in the market. M. H. Kish mhkish-at-cic.aku.ac.ir
The 8th Euro School on Electron Crystallography, 7 - 12 June 2002, Tampere, Finland
The School will consist of a series of tutorial lectures at a level suited to graduate students and others wanting to explore the principles of electron crystallography and tomography. The topics of the School are as follows: high resolution electron microscopy and image simulation, quantitative electron diffraction, crystallographic image processing, convergent beam electron diffraction, Fourier synthesis, direct methods for crystal structure refinement, and electron tomography of virus structures. Practical software training is an essential part of the School. The participants are welcome to present posters.
Applications should be sent before the 15th of February 2002. The number of participants is limited to 50. You can use on-line registration at the homepage of Electron Crystallography School, http://conferences.tut.fi/ecschool2002. For further information, please contact the Conference Secretary of Electron Crystallography School 2002: Ms. Minnamari Vippola, Tampere University of Technology, Centre for Electron Microscopy, e-mail: minnamari.vippola-at-tut.fi
Further information on electron crystallography in the Finnish wilderness can be found by clicking on the website http://www.conferences.tut.fi/ecschool2002
*********************************************************************************** Jaakko Keränen
Research Fellow
Tampere University of Technology Institute of Materials Science Centre for Electron Microscopy P.O. Box 589 FIN-33101 Tampere FINLAND
Dear sirs, Would you give me some information about observation of polymer emulsions by ESEM-FEG . I could saw something at crosssectioned(fractured in liquid nitrogen) samples( a water-soluble substance was considered as a surface activator is not seen so good as a network. I have not cryogenic specimen preparation system. Thank you for your help. Sincerelly, Zulal Misirli
The skeletal muscle folks always fix in situ or with extirpated muscle under slight tension (by pinning) to prevent tetanic collapse of sarcomeres during fixation. This effect is established rather quickly after fixation is begun.
If one looks at the CT fibers in air-dried (on the slide and stained with Gomori's aldehyde fuchsin followed by H&E or one of the common blood dyes) mesentery with BrtFld LM, for example, one will note that the magenta (from Gomori) elastic fibers run straight while the collagen bundles commonly run 'wavy'. So, to the point.
It would appear that elastin is generally stretched and collagen is normally NOT under tension in those tissues in which one finds randomly organized loose connective tissue (LCT) or even the 'woven' fibrous CT of dermis. Again, to the point.
My suggestion to someone who is trying to normalize the appearance of collagen filaments, fibrils and/or fibers would be to insure that every tissue is under equivalent, circumferential tension during fixation. Given the 'wavy', relaxed(?) condition of collagen bundles in most non-tendinous, non-ligamentous CT, I would exert sufficient tension on the subject tissues to insure that the fibers themselves were under tension (i.e., slightly stretched). Using a tensometer with a 4x40mm slice of dermis(skin) for example, one should be able to define the tensile force rise point easily as the slice is stretched and then determine, microscopically, in semi-thin sections, those fiber bundles of collagen that were under tension when fixed. They will be straight.
Hope this helps,
Fred Monson
Frederick C. Monson, PhD The best research Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging occurs before work West Chester University at the bench. West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, 19383 610-738-0437 fmonson-at-wcupa.edu
} ---------- } From: Kevin Mackenzie } Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 10:29 AM } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: TEM collagen fibrils } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } A colleague is planning to investigate collagen reinforcement in natural } tissues using the TEM. } Part of the project is to measure the diameter and spacing of the collagen } } fibrils. However they are finding that the preparation of the tissue is } changing both the diameters and spacing of the fibres. } } Has anyone suggestions/comments on how to improve tissue structure or any } other alternative methods. } } } thanks } } } Kevin } Electron Microscope unit } Department of Zoology } University of Aberdeen } Aberdeen } AB24 2TZ } } Tel 01224-272847 } Fax 01224-272396 } ------------ } Kevin Mackenzie } k.s.mackenzie-at-abdn.ac.uk } } }
We have been doing alot of fluorescence double immuno localization of proteins and have found simple image multiplication to be very useful in showing areas of co-localization. If a pixel has a low value in the one image and its counterpart in the adjacent image is a high signal or value, the result of multiplication will give you a low value. But if there is a good signal at that location in both images the multiplication gives you a amplified pixel value. These values can very quickly become out of the range of your image display (255 grey values) so we have been using the multipication in "the Image Processing Tool Kit" Reindeer Games Inc.. It does the multiplication and then rescales it to fit the scale of the original images.
Bob U of Washington Seattle
On Thu, 17 Jan 2002, zubkova lidia wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } Hi, listers, } } Does anyone do quantification of Images } using Co-localization algorithm.Where can I get the } software? Any help would be appreciate. } } } Dr.Lidia A Zubkova } Pharmacology department } 845 Union Ave } University of Tennessee } Memphis, TN 38107 } Ph(901) 4486009 } e-mail:Lzoubkova-at-utmem.edu } } __________________________________________________ } } } } } Do You Yahoo!? } } } } } Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! } } } } } http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ } } } } } } } } } } } } } _______________________________________ } } __________________________________________________ } Do You Yahoo!? } Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! } http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ } }
} ---------- } From: Monson, Frederick C. } Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 11:31 AM } To: 'WWmn916-at-aol.com' } Subject: RE: Cornea disease Not HO HO } } Not disease, BUT!!!! } } I remember an early electron microscopist describing how, as a graduate } student, he would sit at his dissecting scope watching the course of } osmium tetroxide fixation. He would stop when his foggy cornea would no } longer permit him to see anything. He would resume when his cornea } cleared a couple days later. He did not publish the data he collected on } corneal renewal, because he didn't think of it as an experiment in } progress, but only as an experiment delayed. } } Oh well, I've done my damage for the day, } } Fred Monson } } Frederick C. Monson, PhD } The best research } Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging } occurs before work } West Chester University } at the bench. } West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, 19383 } 610-738-0437 } fmonson-at-wcupa.edu } } } ---------- } From: WWmn916-at-aol.com } Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 8:43 PM } To: histonet-at-pathology.swmed.edu } Subject: Cornea disease } } Greetings to all, } I'm curious if anyone would know if developing cornea disease is } somewhat common in the lab world? With all the chemicals and fumes we } work with, I wouldn't be surprised. } } Deb King, HT } Sacramento, CA } }
Dear Mr. Kish, We have always used Polaroid type 55 in our Hitachi SEM, since it also gives a negative for reproducing the photos. It is slower than the type 52, so you have to adjust your exposure. As far as we know, it is still available. However, several years ago we switched our SEM to a digital image capture system, since it acquires the photo in computer-compatible format, and we have not used the Polaroid since. At 06:59 AM 1/16/02 -0600, you wrote: } } Dear Colleagues; } We have a HITACHI SEM. We use Polaroid Type 52 for making pictures. Is } there any } replacement for this type of film without replacing the holder on the } microscope? Where one can buy this type of film? Type 52 seems to be very } rare and it can not be found in the } market. } M. H. Kish } mhkish-at-cic.aku.ac.ir } Regards, Mary Mary Mager Electron Microscopist Metals and Materials Engineering University of British Columbia 6350 Stores Road Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 CANADA tel: 604-822-5648 e-mail: mager-at-interchange.ubc.ca
We are considering purchasing a Gatan PanaCL detector for our Philips XL30 SEM? Anybody used one of these and do you have any comments / recommendations? We would be using it for petrological and paragenetic studied of sandstones etc. Thanks Nick Wilson Dr. Nick Wilson Research Scientist Geological Survey of Canada 3303-33rd St. N.W. Calgary AB, Canada T2L 2A7 Tel: 403-292-7045 Fax: 403-292-7159 Email: nwilson-at-nrcan.gc.ca {mailto:nwilson-at-nrcan.gc.ca}
Could someone send me the names and phone #'s of service providers other than JEOL for service on an 100CX in the Galveston, TX area?
Thanks, Kim ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kimberly A. Riddle Florida State University tel: 850.644.6519 Biological Science Imaging Resource 119 Bio Unit I, 4370 fax: 850.644.0481 Tallahassee, FL 32306 riddle-at-bio.fsu.edu http://bio.fsu.edu/~taylor/imaging ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a message dated 1/17/02 11:07:24 AM, zubkoval-at-yahoo.com writes:
} Does anyone do quantification of Images } using Co-localization algorithm.Where can I get the } software? Any help would be appreciate.
Two of the software packages that I know contain that functionality are Image Pro Plus version 4.5 (http://www.mediacy.com) and Fovea Pro (http://reindeergraphics.com). Probably there are many others as well.
} } Dear Colleagues; } } We have a HITACHI SEM. We use Polaroid Type 52 for making pictures. Is } } there any } } replacement for this type of film without replacing the holder on the } } microscope? Where one can buy this type of film? Type 52 seems to be very } } rare and it can not be found in the } } market. } } M. H. Kish } } mhkish-at-cic.aku.ac.ir
Try http://www.ngscorp.com/photo_film.php We have ordered Polaroid film from them in the past, so my only connection is as a customer (insert financial interest disclaimer here). Randy
I need to be trained to maintain and repair optical microscopes that are used in biology, microbiology, and A & P classes. Where is such training available? Thank-you, Linda
An interest exists in measuring cross sections of tubes, wires, etc (diameters, thickness). I would deeply appreciate if you submit some information on supplies and any existing experience.
Thanking you in advance,
Dr Dimitri ASLANIDIS AMS World Services rue de la Chaussee 1, 1320 Beauvechain, Belgium tel +32 478 296969, fax +32 10 862134
We no longer use Polaroid Type 52 in our lab. We found that Polaroid Type 72 gives better exposure range and doesn't require coating. Our last bulk film purchase was from FilmAce (www.filmace.com) who advertised in Microscopy Today. However, they also sell Type 52. Usual customer disclaimers. Roy Nelson Material Testing Lab. mtl-at-njcc.com
a7528922 wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Dear Colleagues; } We have a HITACHI SEM. We use Polaroid Type 52 for making pictures. Is } there any } replacement for this type of film without replacing the holder on the } microscope? Where one can buy this type of film? Type 52 seems to be very } rare and it can not be found in the } market. } M. H. Kish } mhkish-at-cic.aku.ac.ir
Zulal - the hardest part is sample preparation - as the biology guys know from many years of experience, cryo preparation is fraught with freezing artifacts. There is a large body of literature about freeze fracture/freeze etch that you can peruse for the myriad of artifacts and pitfalls associates with the technique. You certainly do not need an ESEM - indeed, you probably do not even want to use an ESEM - to do this - it will only make a difficult task harder.
Briefly, the sample must be frozen extremely rapidly - you'll need a jet freezer, spray freezer, diamond anvil slammer or high pressure freezer - even then the most artifact free material you can expect is less than 500um and most of the techniques yield good samples only in the 15-25um range. The sample must be kept below -100C or the amorphous ice will change to crystalline ice and ruin your samples. You will,of course have to have a cold stage in your microscope and a good cry transfer system to do all of this.
Bill Miller
At 08:54 AM 1/17/02, Zulal Misirli wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
We are looking for a relatively simple (inexpensive) 3-D reconstruction software package for Mac or PC. Can anyone recommend some software?
Thanks Henk Colijn
Hendrik O. Colijn colijn.1-at-osu.edu Campus Electron Optics Facility Ohio State University (614) 292-0674 http://www.ceof.ohio-state.edu Fools are pleased when they discover error. The wise are pleased when they discover truth.
The mFIP (multiple Fluorescence Image Processing) module in our analySIS software also includes colocalization.
mike
Michael Bode, Ph.D. Soft Imaging System Corp. 1675 Carr St., #105N Lakewood, CO 80215 =================================== phone: (888) FIND SIS (303) 234-9270 fax: (303) 234-9271 email: mailto:info-at-soft-imaging.com web: http://www.soft-imaging.com ===================================
-----Original Message----- } From: "DrJohnRuss-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com [mailto:"DrJohnRuss-at-aol.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 2:12 PM To: zubkoval-at-yahoo.com; Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
In a message dated 1/17/02 11:07:24 AM, zubkoval-at-yahoo.com writes:
} Does anyone do quantification of Images } using Co-localization algorithm.Where can I get the } software? Any help would be appreciate.
Two of the software packages that I know contain that functionality are Image Pro Plus version 4.5 (http://www.mediacy.com) and Fovea Pro (http://reindeergraphics.com). Probably there are many others as well.
which particular 3D reconstruction technique are you referring to? Reconstruction from serial sections, single axis tilt series, randomly tilted single particles... ????
-Heiko
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: Hendrik O. Colijn [mailto:colijn.1-at-osu.edu] Gesendet: Freitag, 18. Januar 2002 14:39 An: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Betreff: 3-D reconstruction software recommendations
Hi all,
We are looking for a relatively simple (inexpensive) 3-D reconstruction software package for Mac or PC. Can anyone recommend some software?
Thanks Henk Colijn
Hendrik O. Colijn colijn.1-at-osu.edu Campus Electron Optics Facility Ohio State University (614) 292-0674 http://www.ceof.ohio-state.edu Fools are pleased when they discover error. The wise are pleased when they discover truth.
This topic came up earlier but did not come to a conclusion, as I recall. I subsequently found some references to SEM of skunk and opossum feces at several veterinary sites. Their purpose was to examine the animal feces for remnants of honey bees. Apparently, these nocturnal mammals raid bee hives and eat the bees.
I did not find any references to SEM of human feces. From what I can see, there are basically two types of feces. One is of a slime nature while the other is more compacted and solid. The nature is basically determined by its location in the sequence of expulsion.
I collected both types of specimens (slime on Al stub, compacted on C stub) and began working with the slime type. Both were vacuum desiccated at 40mT for 4 hours. After this, the slime specimen was coated with 60A of Pt. The specimen was placed in high vacuum SEM chamber and allowed to reach about 2E-8T.
The images were rather boring. The set of images taken can be found at:
http://photoweb.net/feces/Catalog.pdf
This PDF file is about 3.9MB in size. Individual files can be uploaded but I did not do this yet.
From the images, it is clear that the slime cracks severely under vacuum. Some of the gaps are between 1-5um. Even with 60A of coating, some "islands" of slime charge. Thus, it would seem that 60A is not enough coating to prevent charging. I did some other images (in the PDF catalog) which were BSE.
Even so, there does not seem to be anything remarkable about this specimen. This is in stark contrast to LM analysis using BF, DIC, phase and DF. The problem with LM is that the bacteria are motile and cannot effectively be photographed--due to too long of exposure time. If I cool the specimen, I can approach useable images, since the bacterias' movement slows appreciably. But the limited depth of field does not make are particularly great image.
In the SEM, there simply is not much to discern. I suspect that part of the problem is that I am not able to prepare these specimens as biological types. I am fundamentally set up for metallurgical work.
The specimens should be rinsed, filtered, fixed and then mounted. Without fixation, the water in the bacteria is removed and the structure/morphology of the bacteria is destroyed. Additionally, without removing the indigenous liquid material, one cannot see the bacteria anyway, since they are below the surface of the liquid. This is where filtering would help. I've had this same problem with samples of pus and of spider blood. The fluid is so thick compared to any solid object that might be in the fluid, all that is seen is the surface of the fluid. The LM, as would a TEM, can see through the fluid. The SEM does not.
My conclusion is that for my particular setup, SEM of feces is not possible--or at least, not useful. If anyone has any alternative ideas about SEMing feces, I'd appreciate hearing them. If it is a worthless effort, I'd appreciate knowing that too.
tnx, Gary Gaugler, Ph.D. Microtechnics, Inc. Granite Bay, CA 916.791.8191
We need an antibody or antibodies, preferably against a cell surface antigen, that recognizes cells of human origin specifically (i.e. does not stain cells from other mammalian species), and which works for immuno-fluorescence. We would like to investigate a wide range of cell types from different organs. We have made enquires with many companies, spent a significant amount of money, but have yet to find a suitable antibody. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions. This message has been sent to several lists, apologies for any duplication.
John
John Sutko Department of Pharmacology/318 Univ. Nevada, Reno Reno, NV 89557
Imod is for linux, runs nicely on a PC, and is free.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Gordon Ante Vrdoljak Electron Microscope Lab ICQ 23243541 http://nature.berkeley.edu/~gvrdolja 26 Giannini Hall gvrdolja-at-nature.berkeley.edu UC Berkeley phone (510) 642-2085 Berkeley CA 94720-3330 fax (510) 643-6207 cell (510) 290-6793
On Fri, 18 Jan 2002, Hendrik O. Colijn wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi all, } } We are looking for a relatively simple (inexpensive) 3-D reconstruction } software package for Mac or PC. Can anyone recommend some software? } } Thanks } Henk Colijn } } } Hendrik O. Colijn colijn.1-at-osu.edu } Campus Electron Optics Facility Ohio State University } (614) 292-0674 http://www.ceof.ohio-state.edu } Fools are pleased when they discover error. } The wise are pleased when they discover truth. } }
I have used Slicer for 3D reconstruction of tif images. Slicer will automatically read in a series of tif images that contain a sequential ID number in their name and you can set the separation distance between each image for display. Slicer will also make AVI movies of zooms and rotations. Everett Ramer Cellomics, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA
-----Original Message----- } From: "heiko.stegmann-at-amd.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com [mailto:"heiko.stegmann-at-amd.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 10:41 AM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Hi Henk,
which particular 3D reconstruction technique are you referring to? Reconstruction from serial sections, single axis tilt series, randomly tilted single particles... ????
-Heiko
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: Hendrik O. Colijn [mailto:colijn.1-at-osu.edu] Gesendet: Freitag, 18. Januar 2002 14:39 An: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Betreff: 3-D reconstruction software recommendations
Hi all,
We are looking for a relatively simple (inexpensive) 3-D reconstruction software package for Mac or PC. Can anyone recommend some software?
Thanks Henk Colijn
Hendrik O. Colijn colijn.1-at-osu.edu Campus Electron Optics Facility Ohio State University (614) 292-0674 http://www.ceof.ohio-state.edu Fools are pleased when they discover error. The wise are pleased when they discover truth.
I have used Slicer for 3D reconstruction of tif images. Slicer will automatically read in a series of tif images that contain a sequential ID number in their name and you can set the separation distance between each image for display. Slicer will also make AVI movies of zooms and rotations. Everett Ramer Cellomics, Inc. Pittsburgh, PA
-----Original Message----- } From: "heiko.stegmann-at-amd.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com [mailto:"heiko.stegmann-at-amd.com"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com] Sent: Friday, January 18, 2002 10:41 AM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Hi Henk,
which particular 3D reconstruction technique are you referring to? Reconstruction from serial sections, single axis tilt series, randomly tilted single particles... ????
-Heiko
-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: Hendrik O. Colijn [mailto:colijn.1-at-osu.edu] Gesendet: Freitag, 18. Januar 2002 14:39 An: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Betreff: 3-D reconstruction software recommendations
Hi all,
We are looking for a relatively simple (inexpensive) 3-D reconstruction software package for Mac or PC. Can anyone recommend some software?
Thanks Henk Colijn
Hendrik O. Colijn colijn.1-at-osu.edu Campus Electron Optics Facility Ohio State University (614) 292-0674 http://www.ceof.ohio-state.edu Fools are pleased when they discover error. The wise are pleased when they discover truth.
Before old time photography fades from the scene completely and no one on this list remembers it, I have a question I have been curious about for a while.
Sometimes, after a long time in storage, a yellow precipitate forms in some containers of Rapid Fix. I just noticed it again in a bottle of Mohr Profix, similar formula to Rapid Fix, I think.
What is this stuff and why does it form? It is pale yellow, sticks mostly to the bottom of the bottle. It is hard to clean off and smells a little sulphurish.
Is there any way to clean it out of the bottle, if I do, is it more toxic than ordinary fixer?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Jonathan Krupp Microscopy & Imaging Lab University of California Santa Cruz, CA 95064 (831) 459-2477 jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu
The yellow precipitate is probably elemental sulfur. Fixer's main ingredient is sodium thiosulfate, which over time can get oxidized. You can filter the stuff out, but IMHO if your rapid fixer is that deteriorated, you should probably toss it. Using bad fixer can cause stains to appear on your prints after a few weeks or months.
Best Regards, Ken Gaugler
Jon Krupp wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Hi: } } Before old time photography fades from the scene completely and no one on } this list remembers it, I have a question I have been curious about for a } while. } } Sometimes, after a long time in storage, a yellow precipitate forms in some } containers of Rapid Fix. I just noticed it again in a bottle of Mohr } Profix, similar formula to Rapid Fix, I think. } } What is this stuff and why does it form? It is pale yellow, sticks mostly } to the bottom of the bottle. It is hard to clean off and smells a little } sulphurish. } } Is there any way to clean it out of the bottle, if I do, is it more toxic } than ordinary fixer? } } Inquiring minds want to know. } } Jonathan Krupp } Microscopy & Imaging Lab } University of California } Santa Cruz, CA 95064 } (831) 459-2477 } jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu
-- Ken Gaugler Santa Clara, CA. ~~ spark: N6OSK ~~ PGP: 2EF7 437E 1D0B 602D BC2C 92D1 A548 C11B B901 8CDE
VolumeJ is an add-in to ImageJ, which is the PC version of NIH image. It is free. Scan the web, you'll find it.
OpenDX is a unix free software.
Matlab has volume reconstruction capabilities that are quite nice.
Regards, Ed
"Hendrik O. Colijn" {colijn.1-at-osu.edu} on 01/18/2002 05:38:31 AM
To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com cc:
Hi all,
We are looking for a relatively simple (inexpensive) 3-D reconstruction software package for Mac or PC. Can anyone recommend some software?
Thanks Henk Colijn
Hendrik O. Colijn colijn.1-at-osu.edu Campus Electron Optics Facility Ohio State University (614) 292-0674 http://www.ceof.ohio-state.edu Fools are pleased when they discover error. The wise are pleased when they discover truth.
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (SJT-at-NP.EDU.SG) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Monday, January 21, 2002 at 02:54:09 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: SJT-at-NP.EDU.SG Name: Jeanette T. Sasam
Organization: NgeeAnn Polytechnic
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: Singapore
Question: Can an ophthalmoloscope also be considered a microscope? What is a typical magnification of an Ophthalmoloscope?
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (MIKE.HALE-at-AVON-RUBBER.COM) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Monday, January 21, 2002 at 06:07:56 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: MIKE.HALE-at-AVON-RUBBER.COM Name: MIKE HALE
Organization: AVON-RUBBER
Education: Graduate College
Location: WESTBURY, WILTS, UK
Question: To study the phase morphology of polymer blends by SEM, we have been staining thin films with osmium tetroxide solution. The method we have been using is to simply soak small pieces of film overnight in a 2% OsO4 solution, wash with water an acetone, gold coat and view. This seems to work quite well, the samples becoming darker in colour and the SEM SEI images being usable although of relatively low contrast.
The materials being studied are blends of saturated and unsaturated polymers but we have noticed the presence of osmium in both phases, which is not what we would have expected.
I would be most grateful if you can offer any suggestions regarding the staining of polymer blends with osmium tetroxide as I feel we are not getting the best from this technique. Thanking you in advance for your assistance.
I have three comments/suggestions for you: OsO4 staining is selective not only for unsaturation but also for certain functional groups (i.e. -OH). I suggest that you research the stain specificity of OsO4 as it applies to the polymers you are studying. Sawyer and Grubbs "Polymer Morphology" may provide much of the information you need. Vapor staining, instead of solution staining, may improve your results. During solution staining, the OsO4 may diffuse into both phases but chemically react with only the unsaturated phase. An excess of OsO4 in your resin may impede diffusion of unreacted OsO4 out of your sample. I suggest that the sample be vapor stained by attaching it to the inner surface of the cap for your vial of OsO4 and staining overnight. Be sure to degas the sample in a nitrogen purge or vacuum to remove all unreacted OsO4. If the sample is too thick to permit diffusion of OsO4 throughout the film's full thickness, create a cryogenically sectioned plane through the film and stain this new surface in OsO4 vapors. Metal coating the stained sample will reduce the differential contrast created by OsO4 staining. You may opt to examine the stained samples at low accelerating voltage in a field-emission SEM or in a variable pressure SEM. Charging of the stained but uncoated polymer can be controlled using either of these instruments. If you must coat, a thin layer of carbon should help to minimize charging and optimize the domain contrast that you desire.
Good luck,
Gary M. Brown ExxonMobil Chemical Company Baytown Polymers Center 5200 Bayway Drive Baytown, Texas 77520-2101 phone: (281) 834-2387 fax: (281) 834-2395 e-mail: Gary.M.Brown-at-ExxonMobil.com
MIKE.HALE-at-AVON- RUBBER.COM () To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com cc: Subject: Ask-A-Microscopist: polymer blends by 01/21/02 07:56 SEM AM
------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (MIKE.HALE-at-AVON-RUBBER.COM) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Monday, January 21, 2002 at 06:07:56 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: MIKE.HALE-at-AVON-RUBBER.COM Name: MIKE HALE
Organization: AVON-RUBBER
Education: Graduate College
Location: WESTBURY, WILTS, UK
Question: To study the phase morphology of polymer blends by SEM, we have been staining thin films with osmium tetroxide solution. The method we have been using is to simply soak small pieces of film overnight in a 2% OsO4 solution, wash with water an acetone, gold coat and view. This seems to work quite well, the samples becoming darker in colour and the SEM SEI images being usable although of relatively low contrast.
The materials being studied are blends of saturated and unsaturated polymers but we have noticed the presence of osmium in both phases, which is not what we would have expected.
I would be most grateful if you can offer any suggestions regarding the staining of polymer blends with osmium tetroxide as I feel we are not getting the best from this technique. Thanking you in advance for your assistance.
Mike Hale wrote: ======================================================= Question: To study the phase morphology of polymer blends by SEM, we have been staining thin films with osmium tetroxide solution. The method we have been using is to simply soak small pieces of film overnight in a 2% OsO4 solution, wash with water an acetone, gold coat and view. This seems to work quite well, the samples becoming darker in colour and the SEM SEI images being usable although of relatively low contrast.
The materials being studied are blends of saturated and unsaturated polymers but we have noticed the presence of osmium in both phases, which is not what we would have expected.
I would be most grateful if you can offer any suggestions regarding the staining of polymer blends with osmium tetroxide as I feel we are not getting the best from this technique. Thanking you in advance for your assistance. ============================================================= We have found over the years that in general, TEM is light years better than the best SEMs for the characterization of the multiphase structure of modified polymer systems.
When staining polymers, remember that just about any polymer, if left in the presence of osmium tetroxide, will eventually turn black. What makes the osmium approach work is that some phases stain far faster than other phases. A good rule of thumb is that if you want to increase the contrast between the two phases, slow down the staining, either by reducing the concentration (if vapor phase, then the partial pressure) of the osmium tetroxide or by lowering the staining temperature.
If one must use only an SEM, then we have found that we
a) first make a "faced off piece" of the sample with a diamond knife in a cryo stage ultramicrotome, thereby making the smoothest possible surface,
b) vapor stain the system with osmium tetroxide (or ruthenium tetroxide depending on the chemistry of the sample). However if it is looked at by SEM at this point, there can be back ground staining of the unstained portions of the sample. The next step then is to
c) oxygen plasma etch the sample in a simple RF plasma etcher, such as our SPI Plasma Prep II (see our website given below), using oxygen. The oxygen will etch down the unstained portion of the sample and will etch far more slowly the osmium (or ruthenium) stained portions of the sample. One need not etch very long but this does produce enough additional topography to result in acceptable contrast whereby, without etching, there was insufficient contrast.
d) We think that coating with osmium metal (in the OPC osmium coater, see URL http://www.2spi.com/catalog/osmium-plasma-coater-opc-60.html) instead of gold or carbon has some advantages. One might normally think that a heavy metal is not the way to go, but the layer is much thinner and for BSE imaging, it can have some advantages, for example, see URL http://www.2spi.com/catalog/osmium-plasma-coater-demonstration.html This is speculation on my part, but it is based on the experience with osmium coating of immunogold tagged cells.
The main problem with SEM approaches is that if matrix inclusions are present, they tend to be small, and are often times missed, whereas by TEM, they would be seen readily.
Disclaimer: SPI Supplies offers the Plasma Prep II plasma etcher and the OPC-60 Osmium Plasma Coater. Our laboratory services division performs polymer electron microscopy on these kinds of samples for commercial clients
Here at our lab, I managed to generate a 3D image with a Zeiss LSM510 confocal microscope in tissue with a thickness of about 400 micrometer. The deepest optical slice I could scan was about 250 - 300 micrometer. This was in lung tissue. Now I know depth of scanning is dependant of the tissue density, magnification etc.
In the future, we would like to make scans in pig heart tissue, but I think that with our confocal, I wouldn't be able to scan deeper than about 200 - 250 micrometer. Now we're looking for a solution to scan through the whole heart-wall, to detect a fluorophore coupled to the Y-chromosone.
With a multiphoton confocal microscope, it is possible to scan deeper, also in combination with a non-descanned detector even deeper. But how deep, with what staining etc.? And the final question: has anyone any experience with scanning through pig heart tissue, and, how deep were you able to scan? It is very important for us, because we're thinking about buying such a multi-photon confocal microscope, but we should be sure before spending the money!
Thanks in advance,
Sven
___________________________________________ Sven Terclavers Research Assistent Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology Center for Transgene Technology and Gene Therapy Campus Gasthuisberg O/N Herestraat 49 3000 Leuven - Belgium ___________________________________________
The Sorvall knifebreaker was manufactured 'in the same breath' as the JB-4 to provide the wide glass knives that would cut small specimens embedded in GMA. The knife breaker was capable of cutting quite good knives from 6mm glass for routine thin sectioning. As far as I am aware, the one I bought in 1983(?) is still working.
Fred Monson
Frederick C. Monson, PhD The best research Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging occurs before work West Chester University at the bench. West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, 19383 610-738-0437 fmonson-at-wcupa.edu
} ---------- } From: Caroline Miller } Sent: Monday, January 21, 2002 12:38 PM } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: Knifebreakers } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } I would like information about an older Sorvall glass knife breaker } making knifes that are 12-13 mm wide. Caroline Miller } } }
I think you are correct in the "smell test" it is sulphur from the ammonium thio(sulphate).
Bob Old Timer
On Fri, 18 Jan 2002, Jon Krupp wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi: } } Before old time photography fades from the scene completely and no one on } this list remembers it, I have a question I have been curious about for a } while. } } Sometimes, after a long time in storage, a yellow precipitate forms in some } containers of Rapid Fix. I just noticed it again in a bottle of Mohr } Profix, similar formula to Rapid Fix, I think. } } What is this stuff and why does it form? It is pale yellow, sticks mostly } to the bottom of the bottle. It is hard to clean off and smells a little } sulphurish. } } Is there any way to clean it out of the bottle, if I do, is it more toxic } than ordinary fixer? } } Inquiring minds want to know. } } Jonathan Krupp } Microscopy & Imaging Lab } University of California } Santa Cruz, CA 95064 } (831) 459-2477 } jmkrupp-at-cats.ucsc.edu } } } }
A grad student in the Anatomy department is looking for glass 24 well tissue culture plates however they are only made of plastic now. Does anyone here at the university have some in their lab that our student could borrow? Or does anyone know of a source from which to purchase them?
Please contact me by email or phone if you can help. Thanks,
Jo Ann Moore Sr. Biological Scientist Anatomy Dept. 4 x9446
Research Assistant, Electron Microscopist Vitreous State Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Appointment Date: 20 May, 2002
Salary and Benefits: 36,000 to 39,000, 2x matching 401k, (up to 5% of salary after 1 year,) 21 days paid vacation, 15 days paid holiday, sick leave, health and life insurance, flexible spending account for medical/dental reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, (up to 6 credits per semester,) 5% pay raise after 3 months, (dependent upon positive review,) and relocation assistance.
Essential Duties: Microstructural characterization of materials utilizing OLM, SEM, EDS, WDS, TEM, STEM, and XRD. Provide technical expertise to researchers on equipment operation and microscopy laboratory protocols. Conduct basic EM maintenance on related equipment.
Qualifications: Candidate must either have a two-year degree in electron microscopy, or a BS in physics, chemistry, or materials science with three years of electron microscopy experience. Candidate must have operational knowledge of scanning and transmission electron microscopes, as well as, energy-dispersive spectroscopy systems, fundamental understanding of image processing and analysis techniques, capacity to prepare SEM specimens utilizing standard metallographic techniques, ability to prepare TEM specimens via tripod polishing, jet polishing, dimpling/ion milling, and extraction replication, a generally good understanding of electron microscopy lab maintenance, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy operations considered a bonus.
Instrumentation: JEOL 5900LV and 35c SEM’s, JEOL 2000EX / FX TEM, Noran Vantage and Oxford INCA ENERGY 300/WAVE 700 EDS/WDS systems, Olympus upright light microscope w/ brightfield/darkfield/polarizing light, Olympus inverted stage w/ brightfield/darkfield/polarizing/Nomarski’s.
The Entire Sorvall, JB-4 Microtomy system for plastics (and paraffin) was purchased by Energy Beam Sciences around 1990 and we still offer that line today. It consists of:
1. JB-4(Manual) and JB-4A(Automatic) Microtomes 2. GKM Triangular Knifemaker, for making knives up to 12 mm wide that are used for thin sectioning. 3. Ralph Knifemaker, for long knives up to 38 mm wide that are used for semi-thin paraffin or resin embedded sections.
Contact EBSciences for any product, service or accessory information you need at (800) 992-9037 or via email at ebs-at-ebsciences.com.
Best regards,
Michael R. Nesta General Manager Energy Beam Sciences, Inc. Agawam, MA USA Tel: (413) 786-9322 www.ebsciences.com "Adding Brilliance to Your Vision"
-----Original Message----- } From: Monson, Frederick C. [mailto:fmonson-at-wcupa.edu] Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2002 9:38 AM To: 'Caroline Miller' Cc: 'List-Microscopy'
The Sorvall knifebreaker was manufactured 'in the same breath' as the JB-4 to provide the wide glass knives that would cut small specimens embedded in GMA. The knife breaker was capable of cutting quite good knives from 6mm glass for routine thin sectioning. As far as I am aware, the one I bought in 1983(?) is still working.
Fred Monson
Frederick C. Monson, PhD The best research Center for Advanced Scientific Imaging occurs before work West Chester University at the bench. West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, 19383 610-738-0437 fmonson-at-wcupa.edu
} ---------- } From: Caroline Miller } Sent: Monday, January 21, 2002 12:38 PM } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com } Subject: Knifebreakers } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } I would like information about an older Sorvall glass knife breaker } making knifes that are 12-13 mm wide. Caroline Miller } } }
We're looking for a used Leafscan45 film scanner for our EM Facility. Any ideas where I could look for one are welcome.
Thanks,
Maria
____________________________
Maria Ericsson Harvard Medical School EM Facility 220 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 432 1698 maria_ericsson-at-hms.harvard.edu http://www.hms.harvard.edu/core/em.html
The Ohio State University Microscopic and chemical Analysis Research Center (MARC) is searching to fill an immediate opening for an outstanding Electron Microscopist and Microprobe Analyst (University title: Research Associate 2-Physical). This person will be responsible for operation of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron microprobe (EPMA) instruments. In addition, the position includes working with researchers, teaching students the basic theory and practical SEM and EPMA measurement techniques, collaborating on research projects and directing staff assistants. We seek an excellent electron microscopist/microprobe analyst who enjoys the exciting atmosphere of a major research university and wants to collaborate with scientists on a broad variety of projects. The MARC serves the entire Ohio State University as well as other institutions, with projects from diverse research areas including geology, materials science, environmental sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, dentistry and textiles. The MARC focuses on elemental analysis using from microscale to bulk analysis using SEM, EPMA, x-ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and inductively coupled mass spectrometry with laser ablation or solution sampling. The MARC also teaches traditional or short courses on each of the techniques. The position is a full time, hard money funded job.
Experience with both EPMA and SEM is preferred but strong candidates with extensive experience using one of these will be seriously considered. Excellent candidates with a range of experience and potential to grow will be considered.
If you know of a suitable candidate for this position, please contact Dr. John Olesik, MARC Director, at {mailto:olesik.2-at-osu.edu} or (614) 292-6954. Details on official application for the position can be found at The Ohio State University jobs listing web site ( {http://hr.osu.edu/es/jobsort.htm} ). Search in the UPP section by title “Research Associate-2 Physical”. The job listing is number U-20908-012202. Although the official deadline is January 28, 2002 and the listing will be on the OSU jobs list web site for only one week, the search will continue until an excellent candidate is hired.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- John Olesik Adj. Assoc. Professor, Research Scientist MARC Director Microscopic and chemical Analysis Research Center Ohio State University 125 S. Oval Mall 275 Mendenhall Laboratory Columbus, OH 43210
The Oregon Health & Science University is requesting your help in gathering salary data for Electron Microscopy Technologist.
The Electron Microscopy Technologist prepares human tissue samples for electron microscopy and performs ultrastructural electron microscopic examinations and photographic documentation for the purpose of detecting pathology and guiding medical therapy in support of State, regional, and local clinical and research pathology programs. Employees in this class may instruct researchers, physicians, and medical students in the use of the electron microscope and associated laboratory facilities and equipment. Employees in this class perform routine repair and maintenance of electron microscopes, microtones, light microscopes, evaporators, and other laboratory equipment.
Do you have a job match? Yes_________ No__________
Please feel free to call Suzanne Adams, OHSU Compensation Analyst at (503) 494-3423 or email at adamss-at-ohsu.edu with questions. Thank you in advance for your help with this survey. You may fax the survey back to me at (503) 494-0045.
Thank you.
Suzanne Adams Compensation Analyst Oregon Health & Sciences University Portland, OR 503 494-3423 adamss-at-ohsu.edu
In a recent article on SEM imaging, a new method/imaging technique(to me)was mentioned (Vector Imaging). What is Vector imaging and why would it be used instead of rastering?
Try Professional Marketing Services Phoenix, AZ 480.940.5400 http://www.promarketinc.com
Their latest listing has one priced at $3995 with SCSI/GPIB interfaces.
gary g.
At 09:49 AM 1/23/2002, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (schlor27-at-aol.com) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at 10:04:59 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: schlor27-at-aol.com Name: Lori Mead
Organization: FP & M
Education: Undergraduate College
Location: City, State, Country
Question: Hello Listers
I am interested in having some QC Microscopy work done on several Polymer samples. I would like to hear from labs that are available to do this type of work.
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (usseacat-at-iserv.net) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Tuesday, January 22, 2002 at 23:25:20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: usseacat-at-iserv.net Name: Dr. Carl J. Jungblut
Education: Graduate College
Location: Holland, Michigan USA
Question: Firstly, thank you for your help. Ihave two basic questions: (1) Name and address of a company that repairs or supplies parts for a monocular, compound Bausch and Lomb microscope.
(2) Name and address(es) of company/companies selling microscope supplies, especially Wright's stain.
I have a particular problem concerning in-situ investigations of grain boundary migration with a Jeol 820 SEM. For that purpose we use a hot stage to heat up the the specimen up to 600 C. But at a temperature of about 370 C the thermal radiation of the specimen and the furnace disturbs the electron signal and we do not see anything on the screen.
We use a semiconductor BSE-detector with two half- which is positioned underneath the pole-piece.
I would be nice to hear some suggestions concerning this problem.
Maybe another kind of detector, filters for the photonic radiation etc.
Further information:
1.We cannot use the SE2-detector since SE cannot solve the orientation-contrast between the different grains.
2.The temperature at the detector is about 100 C during the heating process.
Is there anyone out there using the 3D-deconvolution program from Zeiss? I have some 3D images that I created with the LSM510 confocal microscope and I'm thinking of buying the Zeiss-program to deconvolute, but is it worth it's price or is there a cheaper/better substitute? Can someone run the program once on one of my images so I can see the effect? Thanks,
Sven Terclavers Molecular Cardiovascular Medicine Group Louvain - Belgium
We are planning to purchase a laser capture microscopy system and are hoping for input from users of this technology. We really have no experience in this area, therefore, are not even sure what questions to formulate when evaluating a system.
Basically, we are considering the Arcturus PixCell II from Leica - which uses paraffin and frozen sections and the PALM Laser-MicroBeam System from Zeiss which I believe allows capture of cells from living tissue as well.
All comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Judy Trogadis Bio-Imaging Coordinator St. Michael's Hospital, 8Q 30 Bond St. Toronto, ON M5B 1W8 Canada
I'm looking for Link eXL hardware (beige units - not grey). I need Lemas (desktop stage control) module, computer boards, etc. Contact me off line if you have any of this equipment.
Owen
Owen P. Mills Electron Optics Facility Engineer Michigan technological University Materials Science and Engineering Rm 626 M&M Bldg. Houghton, MI 49931 906-487-2002 Ph 906-487-2934 Fax opmills-at-mtu.edu www.mm.mtu.edu/~opmills/
Hello, I could use spares for the Link eXL grey units. Thank you.
Please contact: Jim Romanow The University of Connecticut Physiology and Neurobiology Department Electron Microscopy Facility Unit 2242 Storrs, CT 06269-2242 bsgphy3-at-uconnvm.uconn.edu 860 486-2914 voice 860 486-1936 fax
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA)
with Support from Hamamatsu Photonics KK
will offer a course on
"Optical Microscopy in the Biological Sciences"
June 5-12, 2002 Application Deadline -March 1, 2002
Tuition - $1,750 (includes room and board) $1300 (without room) $$$$$ Limited number of complete scholarships are available $$$$$
Topics to be covered: Microscope Optics: Phase Contrast, Dark-field, DIC, Polarization Detectors * Digital Processing * Fluorescence Filters and Probes Live Cell Imaging * FRET * FLIM * Green Fluorescent Proteins Confocal * Multiphoton * Deconvolution * 3-D Reconstruction
Faculty: Robert Blystone, Trinity University * Victoria Centonze Frohlich, UTHSCSA * Robert Hard, SUNY-Buffalo Brian Herman, UTHSCSA * Ernst Keller, Carl Zeiss * James Lechleiter, UTHSCSA Kate Luby-Phelps, Medical College of Wisconsin * Masafumi Oshiro, Hamamatsu Photonics KK Peter So, MIT * Kenneth Spring, NIH * Simon Watkins, Univ. Pittsburgh
The typical solid state BSE detector is fundamentally a reverse biased diode. When a BSE hits the diode, current flows. This current is converted to a voltage and displayed on the SEM's monitor. A solid state diode has a characteristic known as leakage current. This current increases with temperature. Thus, I suspect that your solid state BSE detector diodes are becoming saturated via high temperature leakage current. As a consequence, there is no useable signal.
The option for using these solid state detectors in a high temperature environment is to thermally cool them. This could be done using a Peltier cooler. However, this would be difficult to set up and would reduce your working distance.
An alternative, which is not thermally sensitive, is to use a scintillator BSE detector such as the Robinson Model 6. While not a low cost or zero cost solution, I think you would find the Robinson detector to solve your problem and even provide better performance than a solid state detector does. You should check with Robinson to be sure that the temperature at the BSE probe position does not exceed its specified or allowed temperature. The scintillator detector works on a totally different principle. But the detector probe will still have some upper limit of temperature based on when it might be damaged by heat. If this temperature limit is too low for your application, then of course, the detector would not be a viable option.
It would help to know what the temperature is at the pole piece based on specimen temperature and working distance.
Gary Gaugler
At 01:50 AM 1/24/2002, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
I've forgotten who makes/sells those regeneratable back-streaming traps which, I think, are called Micro Maze, and I can't seem to sucessfully websearch for them.
Can someone point me in the right direction, please?
cheers
rtch
Dr Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
Does anybody have a chemical solution for removing IC packaging without damaging the internal components? Simple grinding from the top down is not suitable because I need all the interconnects intact. Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincere regards,
Jon Hiller ================================================================== Jon M. Hiller Argonne National Laboratory Materials Science Division Electron Microscopy Center Tel: 630-252-9558 Fax: 630-252-4798 Email: hiller-at-anl.gov ==================================================================
I would like to get the names of some recommended vendors of temperature controlled stages that I can use to observe crystal formation by optical microscopy. Stage should have a temperature range of 5 to 60 deg. C. and should have at least two fluid connections. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Vendors may contact me directly. TIA
Damian Neuberger, PhD Senior Research Scientist Baxter Healthcare Corp POBox 490, WG3-2S Round Lake, IL 60073 Fax 847.270.5888
Of course, about a millisecond after I pressed the "send" button, I remembered that they are from Lesker
thanks anyway
rtch
} From: Self {GLGNOV2/RSIMS} } To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.Microscopy.Com } Subject: anti-backstreaming traps } Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 14:25:05 GMT+1200
} Happy New Year } } I've forgotten who makes/sells those regeneratable back-streaming } traps which, I think, are called Micro Maze, and I can't seem to } sucessfully websearch for them. } } Can someone point me in the right direction, please? } } cheers } } rtch } } Dr Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
Gary, The BSE detectors are also "solar cells" and are quite sensitive to both visible light and infrared. The latter is most likely what is wiping out the signal. You're right that a Robinson would probably fis the problem if it can take the heat.
Ken Converse owner Quality Images third party SEM service Delta, PA
Gary Gaugler wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } The typical solid state BSE detector is fundamentally } a reverse biased diode. When a BSE hits the diode, } current flows. This current is converted to a voltage } and displayed on the SEM's monitor. A solid state } diode has a characteristic known as leakage current. } This current increases with temperature. Thus, I } suspect that your solid state BSE detector diodes are } becoming saturated via high temperature leakage } current. As a consequence, there is no useable } signal. } } The option for using these solid state detectors in } a high temperature environment is to thermally } cool them. This could be done using a Peltier cooler. } However, this would be difficult to set up and would } reduce your working distance. } } An alternative, which is not thermally sensitive, is } to use a scintillator BSE detector such as the Robinson } Model 6. While not a low cost or zero cost solution, } I think you would find the Robinson detector to solve } your problem and even provide better performance } than a solid state detector does. You should check } with Robinson to be sure that the temperature at the } BSE probe position does not exceed its specified } or allowed temperature. The scintillator detector } works on a totally different principle. But the detector } probe will still have some upper limit of temperature } based on when it might be damaged by heat. If this } temperature limit is too low for your application, then } of course, the detector would not be a viable option. } } It would help to know what the temperature is at the } pole piece based on specimen temperature and working } distance. } } Gary Gaugler } } } } At 01:50 AM 1/24/2002, you wrote: } } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } } } Dear Users, } } } } I have a particular problem concerning in-situ investigations of grain } } boundary migration with a Jeol 820 SEM. For that purpose we use } } a hot stage to heat up the the specimen up to 600 C. But at a } } temperature of about 370 C the thermal radiation of the specimen } } and the furnace disturbs the electron signal and we do not see } } anything on the screen. } } } } We use a semiconductor BSE-detector with two half- which is } } positioned underneath the pole-piece. } } } } I would be nice to hear some suggestions concerning this problem. } } } } Maybe another kind of detector, filters for the photonic radiation } } etc. } } } } Further information: } } } } 1.We cannot use the SE2-detector since SE cannot solve the } } orientation-contrast between the different grains. } } } } 2.The temperature at the detector is about 100 C during the } } heating process. } } } } } } } } Dirk Kirch } } } } } } } } } } } } +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ } } } } Dirk Kirch } } Institut fuer Metallkunde und Metallphysik } } RWTH Aachen } } D-52056 Aachen } } Germany } } } } Phone : +49-241-8026861 } } Fax : +49-241-8022301 } } Internet: http://www.imm.rwth-aachen.de } } E-Mail : kirch-at-imm.rwth-aachen.de } } } } +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ } } } }
I assume you're speaking about plastic packages since you want a chemical removal technique. Below your message is a summary of responses that I received when I asked a similar question. I can't comment on them, because my project dried up after I asked the question and I never got to try any of the techniques, but there look like some good ones.
Diane Ciaburri General Dynamics Pittsfield, MA
Does anybody have a chemical solution for removing IC packaging without damaging the internal components? Simple grinding from the top down is not suitable because I need all the interconnects intact. Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincere regards,
Jon Hiller ================================================================== Jon M. Hiller Argonne National Laboratory Materials Science Division Electron Microscopy Center Tel: 630-252-9558 Fax: 630-252-4798 Email: hiller-at-anl.gov ==================================================================
Here's the summary (long) for all those interested in deencapsulating plastic encapsulated ICs. I have no preferences as I haven't tried any yet, but thought the fuming sulfuric acid might be 'fun'. Thanks again!
The way this is generally done is to mill the plastic down on a grinding wheel to the point where only a fairly thin layer of plastic remains. Then, using a plasma etcher, and a mixture of oxygen to CF4 (for example, 30% oxygen/70% CF4), whereby the oxygen etches away the plastic and the CF4 etches away the glass frit that is usually found in the plastic, you can remove the remaining plastic (package) without damaging the device itself. Different people like to use different gas ratios, of course, and that is probably a function, at least to some degree, of the concentration of glass frit in their particular plastic.
The SPI Plasma Prep II unit, as shown on URL http://www.2spi.com/catalog/instruments/etchers1.html in the world, is probably the most widely used unit for doing this type of operation. It is inexpensive and highly reliable, and requires virtually no maintenance.
Chuck ____________________________________________________________________________ ******************************************************************************** *************************** The ion beam approach works well. I have not used it recently on finer pitch ICs. With as-built feature sizes of 2-4u, it is fine. It will stop at the passivation and leave the Al bond wires intact. The resulting package looks like it has a V-shaped pit in it (which it does). The extent of the pit depends on the size of the die and if you want to blast down to the lead frame or substrate.
I have not done this on finer pitch devices. I would be a bit skeptical about these mostly because of the smaller bond pads. The etching would still stop at the passivation.
There are numerous places in Silicon Valley that do this on an outsource basis. Typical costs are about $75 per IC. I can get some contacts for you if you'd like.
gary g. ___________________________________________________________________________ ******************************************************************************** *************************
Diane: attached is a text document outlining the procedure my FA lab uses. Yellow fuming nitric is usually the acid of choice. If you can get a few extra parts to practice on, that would be best. And you're right, plasma takes FOREVER. If I can be of any more help, please let me know.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Becky Holdford (r-holdford-at-ti.com) 972-598-1291 (pager) KFAB Physical Analysis Labs--SEM/FIB/FA Kilby Center West Texas Instruments, Inc. Dallas, TX ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, & SUPPLIES 1. Milling machine and appropriate end mills 2. Stabilo SuperFine OH pen or equivalent 3. Fume hood properly equipped for exhausting acid fumes and solvent vapors (see reference 3.4) 4. Explosion proof hot plate (see reference 3.4) 5. Ultrasonic cleaning apparatus 6. An optical microscope capable of 100X to 500X magnification, equipped with a lighting system. 7. Chemical resistant latex gloves 8. Chemical resistant laboratory coat 9. Chemical resistant safety glasses (see reference 3.5) 10. Hand tools (tweezers, scalpels and etc.) 11. Plastic micro-pipette 12. Fuming red nitric acid 13. Yellow nitric acid 14. Methyl alcohol 15. Acetone
1. RECORDING OF PACKAGE MARKINGS Record all of the device markings that are on the top and bottom sides of the devices prior to starting any of the decap operations. 2. CAVITY MILLING Determine the exact location of the chip within the package and mark the top of the device package showing the chip perimeter, using a Stabilo SuperFine OH pen and a straight edge. A SAM plot or X-ray image may be used to help determine the exact location of the chip and also to determine the thickness of the mold compound covering the chip. Note: This should be done on devices having large chips. Devices with small chips (less than 0.125 inches in their longest dimension) do not require this step. Mill a cavity out of the plastic package that is centered over the chip. The size of the milled cavity should typically be .050 to .100 inches larger than the length and width dimensions of the chip. The depth of the milled cavity depends on the thickness of the mold compound and the location and loop height of the bond wires. During the milling operation use a vacuum line to pick up the loose plastic particles generated. Caution: do not mill into the bond wires or the chip. Mill counter bores on devices with chip dimensions greater than 0.400 inches on a side. These counter bores should be made on one or more levels within the bond pad perimeter and at the outermost corners of the cavity (this is necessary to facilitate etching of the mold compound at the corners of the chip before the sides are exposed and subsequent damage to the leadframe). Care must be taken during the milling operation to avoid excessive pressure on the mill resulting in filler induced damage to the chip P.O. The end mill should not bind, bend, or "smoke" during the milling operation. 3. PACKAGE ETCHING All etching must be performed in a chemical hood that meets the requirements defined in references #.3 and 4.Heating of acid or device prior to application of acid must be done using an explosion proof hot plate that meets the requirements of reference #4. Obtain the appropriate acid for use on the mold compound being removed. Following are the acids that have been identified for the removal of the various mold compounds. Mold Compound Acid/Temperature Shinetsu Red fuming nitric acid at 140-150 degrees Celsius Plascon & Sumitomo Red fuming or yellow nitric acid 140-150 degrees Celsius Note: Fuming sulfuric acid reacts with exposed aluminum bond pad metallization and may result in ball bond discontinuity thus hampering further analysis.
· When using red fuming nitric acid it may be helpful to start the etching process using a mixture of red and yellow nitric acids in order to slow down the etch process until a "residue crust" is formed over the cavity and then switch to the red nitric acid. · Apply the acid in drops using a plastic micro-pipette. The drops should be placed in the center and at the corners of the cavity in approximately a 1:1 ratio. · Allow the acid to react with the mold compound and form a crust of dissolved compound. Caution: Do not allow the crust to dry out completely before adding additional drops of acid. · Remove the dissolved material using cotton swabs or by rinsing with acetone when the dissolved materials threaten to spill over the cavity. Caution: Rinse the device immediately with acetone if acid spills onto the package pins. · Soak the device in acetone for a minimum of 10 minutes, followed by a spray of methanol to remove loose residue and to clean the residue from the cavity rim. · Perform a thorough microscopic inspection to determine whether all necessary areas of the chip are exposed. · If dried mold compound residue persists on the chip surface, use the following in the order shown to attempt removal: · Solvent bath (such as methyl alcohol) in ultrasonic cleaner · Several drops of room temperature fuming sulfuric acid applied to the chip (with the chip at room temperature) for several seconds then rinse the device in DI water. · Several drops of fuming sulfuric acid applied to the chip with the chip on a 100 degree Celsius hot plate. Note: Fuming sulfuric acid will attack aluminum bond pads and is therefore the method of last resort.
_____________________________________________________________________ ********************************************************************* Can't comment on sulfuric, but I have used red fuming nitric at near boiling temperature. Apply acid, let react. Flush witn more acid, let react, etc.
Diane, Yes, hot fuming sulfuric and/or hot fuming nitric are used as standard procedures for removing plastic from IC's. The process is not quite that simple. For example, water rinses will almost certainly etch the bond pads on the IC and thus removing connection to the outside world. Additionally, the plastic contains fire retardants which some regions don't like being washed down the drain. There is more detailed help through EDFAS.org (one of ASM's branches). B&G International sells a very safe, effective etcher which performs decapsulation automatically in minutes.
I have no association with B&G International.
David Saxon Analytical Microscope Services 11826 Reservoir Rd. E. Puyallup, WA 98374 253-848-7701 voice & fax email: info-at-analyticalmicroscope.com website: www.analyticalmicroscope.com
I used to do failure analysis on semi conductor memories which were starting to be made of plastic/epoxy with glass rods about 20 years ago.
I have some technics and possible help but its too much to write. Basically you drill a small hole about 0.1" deep then heat the IC on a hot plate and then you drop your acid to remove the plastic. I dont know chemistry, I'm and Electronics Technician. I did this work with a meterial sicentist, my mentor. We used fumming sulfuric acid and fuimg nitric acid, also some type of organic pink and blue solutions to stop some of the acids etching effect.
The company back then was Burroughs Corp. today is Unysis.
I presently work for the U S Department of Energy in New York City. My phone number is 212 6203650, I'll be happy to walk through some ideas and things I learned.
Regards Peter Roiz ______________________________________________________________________ **********************************************************************
Perhaps it's time to comment on this thread.
Dichloromethane and dimethylformamide are relatively effective disrupters of most epoxies but their action is accompanied by great swelling because the polymer becomes engorged with the liquid before any significant solvation takes place. This will destroy wire bonds on an IC.
Fuming (essentially anhydrous) sulfuric acid acts by the completely different process of sulfonating reactive groups that remain on the polymer. The depolymerized and sulfonated byproducts are quite soluble not only in the acid but usually in water as well. The worst thing that you could do in this relatively straightforward process is to wash with water at intervals because this would initiate almost instantaneous corrosion. It would be advisable for a chemist, as someone trained in the handling of reactive materials, to carry this out or at least to establish procedures and train others with less experience. The action of sulfuric acid in this regard is quite different than that of nitric. Nearly anhydrous nitric acid (completely anhydrous is extremely difficult to prepare) is a very powerful oxidizer and could lead to unstable, dangerous byproducts whereas the sulfonates resulting from the sulfuric acid reaction are relatively stable. Water must, of course, be prevented from splashing into any concentrated acid, especially sulfuric.
A very strong acid such as sulfuric behaves completely differently in the absence of water. Since most acids are highly hygroscopic and are sold as water solutions, most people do not observe this other side of their behavior. Without water to create an ionized electrolyte, corrosion of metals will not take place. I have de-encapsulated ICs for failure analysis in 200 degree sulfuric acid and been able to operate the IC without replacing the .001" aluminum wirebonds that it came with. I recall one instance where our company built prototype hybrid microelectronic circuits out of such de-encapsulated ICs when their supplier was late getting a new design on the market and the only ones available were already encapsulated.
The key is to realize that water must be excluded until the sulfonating acid has been completely rinsed away by a non-aqueous liquid. As Mr. Saxon said, there are simple and safe devices available for doing this operation. However, with proper care and protective gear it can be done in a beaker on a hot plate in a fume hood. A few ml.s of sulfuric acid are heated to drive off water until heavy vapors are observed over the liquid (which may darken during heating due to trace impurities). The IC is carefully lowered into the hot acid and a vigorous reaction ensues with the epoxy almost instantly washing into the solution. After a few seconds the IC is then quickly lifted out and held over a receiving vessel and flooded with a stream of ethanol. Only after this is a final rinse in deionized water carried out, followed by fresh electronic grade ethanol and forced drying in warm air.
The ready made devices which carry out the operation are typically a small bowl with a hinged lid from which air is withdrawn by a gentle vacuum. An inert metal feeder tube leads from a heated reservoir for the sulfuric acid and passes through the wall of the bowl to a position where the encapsulated device is secured. When the lid is closed and the slight vacuum applied, the hot acid is pulled into the bowl over the device. It is somewhat self-limiting in that, if the lid is opened, there is no driving force to bring more acid into the container. Naturally, the vacuum source needs to be protected by a trap and all waste products properly handled no matter how the procedure is carried out.
John Twilley Conservation Scientist (formerly, Manager of the Reliability Analysis Center, Teledyne Microelectronics)
There were some posts recently from folks looking to pass on Hitachi S-570 SEMs. I'm in a different boat, keeping ours running. Happily, it's doing well. We do need to replace the vibration dampers just under the column (at the corners). New ones from Hitachi are horribly expensive, of course. There is a good home-brew damper our service engineer described, but I thought I'd check to see if anyone who had disposed of a 570, or otherwise has extra parts, happened to have these dampers. If so, how much would you want for them?
Thanks!
Phil -- Philip Oshel Supervisor, AMFSC and BBPIC microscopy facilities Department of Animal Sciences University of Wisconsin 1675 Observatory Drive Madison, WI 53706 - 1284 voice: (608) 263-4162 fax: (608) 262-5157 (dept. fax)
The Cell Sciences Imaging Facility (CSIF) at Stanford University has an opening for a full- time, EM research assistant. The position requires a person with extensive and varied experienced in EM techniques including immunohistochemistry and immunogold. Experience in cryo-specimen preparation and cryo-ultramicrotomy is also desired. The research assistant will conduct EM experiments for users (primarily Stanford researchers) of the CSIF as well as train users on facility electron microscopes and ancillary equipment. In addition, the research assistant will help setup and manage the daily operation of the EM core including ordering supplies and assuring that the EM core is in compliance with all health and safety regulations. The position requires BA/BS degree in Biology or related field and a minimum of 3-5 years experience in an electron microscopy research laboratory. Position requires the ability and desire to develop and apply new techniques. Some experience and comfort working in a heterogeneous computing environment (PC, MAC, UNIX) required. The EM core of the CSIF is a new, full service user facility with state-of-the-art equipment including a JEOL1230 TEM equipped with a Gatan 791 ccd camera, Leica Ultracut UCT microtomes and Pelco processing microwave. The CSIF provides Stanford University researchers with access to state-of-the-art, cutting-edge instrumentation and methodologies for confocal, multiphoton, deconvolution and electron microscopy imaging. The successful applicant will have an opportunity to work on many different research projects and to learn and apply new techniques. Stanford University provides excellent benefits and an informal work environment. Salary commensurate with experience. Interested candidates should e-mail or fax their resume and letter of application directly to:
Jon Mulholland, Director Cell Sciences Imaging Facility Beckman Center B062 Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA 94305-5301
If it is the black "plastic" (glass filled epoxy), nitric acid works on some, and sulfuric acid works on most. There are also some chemicals called "Dynasolve", that we use various types of. The differences are in the speed with which the material is removed, and what damage is done to interconnects, etc. If you watch the time you have the sample in sulfuric acid, it works for most parts.
Hope this helped. Regards, Darrell
Jon Hiller {hiller-at-anl.gov} on 01/24/2002 08:26:21 PM
To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com cc:
Does anybody have a chemical solution for removing IC packaging without damaging the internal components? Simple grinding from the top down is not suitable because I need all the interconnects intact. Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincere regards,
Jon Hiller ================================================================== Jon M. Hiller Argonne National Laboratory Materials Science Division Electron Microscopy Center Tel: 630-252-9558 Fax: 630-252-4798 Email: hiller-at-anl.gov ==================================================================
Hello everyone, We have an E3 electronscan ESEM in our laboratory and the most used motor for the Z-axis has failed. We did a fix by replacing it with the rotation motor, but we now can't rotate our sample. Does anyone have any suggestions how we can get an economical replacement for the motor?
I contacted FEI and they want too much money for a replacement - something like $1300 or more. I also contacted the manufacturer - pittman. They no longer carry the motor, but will manufacture 25 of them mininum for $300 each.
I was wondering if anyone had a spare replacement motor for this instrument they can sell or donate? I was also wondering if I could use a replacement motor from Pittman and build it into the drive myself, using another encoder and gearbox? The motor has on it WDG#4, 4-phase, 500 cpr, 24:1 G/R, manufactured in 6-18-92.
The pittman web page at: http://www.pittmannet.com/ has a selection of motors, and I've ordered their catalogue and select guide, but I have no experience in matching motors (torque/speed/etc). Anyone with prior experience or helpful advice, suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your help. Gordon
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Gordon Ante Vrdoljak Electron Microscope Lab ICQ 23243541 http://nature.berkeley.edu/~gvrdolja 26 Giannini Hall gvrdolja-at-nature.berkeley.edu UC Berkeley phone (510) 642-2085 Berkeley CA 94720-3330 fax (510) 643-6207 cell (510) 290-6793
I have an Phillips EM300 TEM free to anyone who wants to come pick it up. It has multiple stages, EDS detector, (no pulse processor,)and a port for a camera. It does have a mercury diffusion pump, (a problem for some.)
If we cannot find a home for it in the next 4-6 weeks, it will be disposed of. Hopefully, it will not come to that.
Sincerly,
Cavin Mooers, Research Assistant Vitreous State Laboratory The Catholic University of America Hannan Hall Washington, DC 20064 (202) 319-5346phone (202) 319-4469fax
The Micromaze foreline traps are available from the Kurt J. Lesker Co. of Clariton, Pa., (FAX: 412-233-4275). You can probably reach them on the internet too, but I don't have an e-mail address readily at hand. The traps are described, and their use is discussed, on p. 147 of my book 'Vacuum Methods in Electron Microscopy" (for a description see http://www.2spi.com/catalog/books/book48.html or http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/6484.html) -- Wilbur C. Bigelow, Prof. Emeritus Materials Sci. & Engr., University of Michigan 3062 Dow Bldg.; 2300 Hayward St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136 e-mail: bigelow-at-umich.edu; Fx:734-763-4788; Ph:734-662-5237
Below is the result of your feedback form (NJZFM-ultra-55). It was submitted by (ever4us-at-comcast.com ) from http://www.msa.microscopy.com/Ask-A-Microscopist.html on Friday, January 25, 2002 at 16:20:49 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: I've recently become the science coordinator of our school but my science background is in enzymology so I don't have alot of experience with microscopy. We are looking to buy some new scopes and in the process I've been looking at our old ones. The 400x magnification is pretty unusable on these. Is that supposed to be oil immersion use only? These lenses are pretty dirty and have probably not been maintained. The top objective does not come out for cleaning as far as I can see. Do I just need to send these to a technician?
Dear Phil, The secret that the Canadian rep told me was to put some of the thick washers that came with the S-570 shipping kit over the rubber vibration dampers, so that the table is raised up off the shipping posts. You get a little extra life out of them that way. You will know when the table hits the posts, since your vibration gets worse. The vibration dampers for the S-570 are only about one quarter the price of the ones for the S-2300, so it could be worse. At 08:35 AM 1/25/02 -0600, you wrote: } Listers, } } There were some posts recently from folks looking to pass on Hitachi } S-570 SEMs. I'm in a different boat, keeping ours running. Happily, } it's doing well. We do need to replace the vibration dampers just } under the column (at the corners). New ones from Hitachi are horribly } expensive, of course. There is a good home-brew damper our service } engineer described, but I thought I'd check to see if anyone who had } disposed of a 570, or otherwise has extra parts, happened to have } these dampers. If so, how much would you want for them? } } Thanks! } } Phil Regards, Mary
Mary Mager Electron Microscopist Metals and Materials Engineering University of British Columbia 6350 Stores Road Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4 CANADA tel: 604-822-5648 e-mail: mager-at-interchange.ubc.ca
} Email: ever4us-at-comcast.com } Name: Denise Everett } } Organization: Pitman Middle School } } Education: 6-8th Grade Middle School } } Location: Pitman, NJ 08071 } } Question: I've recently become the science coordinator of our school } but my science background is in enzymology so I don't have alot of } experience with microscopy. We are looking to buy some new scopes } and in the process I've been looking at our old ones. The 400x } magnification is pretty unusable on these. Is that supposed to be oil } immersion use only? } These lenses are pretty dirty and have probably not been maintained. } The top objective does not come out for cleaning as far as I can see. } Do I just need to send these to a technician? } } --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Denise -
I'm glad that you've asked for help; we're here to provide it. There are several topics here. First, new microscopes. Let's assume that the scopes that you have are salvageable. Since you're in a middle school, PLEASE consider purchasing "dissecting" rather than compound scopes like the ones that you have. A lot of introductory microscopy for your age group is observstion of thick specimens at lower magnifications; looking at large insects, flowers, shells, etc. So having a mix of types will greatly expand your capabilities. You'll find a detailed discussion of selection criteria on Project MICRO's website (URL below). I suggest 20x monocular dissecting scopes, wich will cost you around $75 each; sources are listed on the MICRO site and you can find an example online at www.microscopeworld.com. Your dirt diagnosis is probably accurate. It would be best if you learn to clean the scopes yourself; you'll then know how to keep them that way. The New York Microscopical Society has members and meeting rooms in New Jersey, and one of their members may be available to show you what to do; I'm copying this Email to Jean Portell {JeanDP-at-aol.com} , one of their officers. I also can provide you with detailed cleaning instructions for teachers, written by a MSA member. 400x is "high dry" - oil immersion is 1000x and inappropriate for middle school. While you're visiting the MICRO website, don't miss MSA's middle school manual, "Microscopic Explorations"; it's an excellent introduction to scientific observation and inquiry, written by the science educators at the Lawrence Hall of Science. If you want a reference book for your own use, here's another listing from the MICRO bibliography:
Nachtigall, W. 1995 Exploring With the Microscope 160 pp. hardbound. 6.5x9.5". $19.95. ISBN 0-8069-0866-1 Sterling Publishing Co., NY. Although this book is intended for adult amateur microscopists, it is well written and will provide teachers and classroom volunteers with much useful information on "serious" light microscopy; it's unequalled as a basic reference for beginners. Almost half of the book is devoted to simple preparation methods for biological specimens and descriptions (with good illustrations) of commonly encountered organisms. Adult. RECOMMENDED
Caroline
Caroline Schooley Project MICRO Coordinator Microscopy Society of America Box 117, 45301 Caspar Point Road Caspar, CA 95420 Phone/FAX (707)964-9460 Project MICRO: http://www.msa.microscopy.com/ProjectMicro/PMHomePage.html Intertidal invertebrates: http://www.fortbragg.k12.ca.us/AG/marinelab.html
I'm new in this list , and I wonder if anybody could help us...
We try to localize an epitope in the sarcomeric organization of rat muscle. We obtained a very clean and strong signal by immunofluorescence on cryostat sections, even after fixation with 4%PF. So we planned to go to EM level, to see if our epitope is in or around the myofibrilles... But at this time, we were unable to obtain any good signal in EM : - using post-embedding methods after Lowicryl or LRwhite (and of course Epon...) - and even using ultracryotomy... In this last case, we were able to clearly observe our signal on semithin sections with immunofluorescence, but no specific signal was obtained on ultrathin sections with colloidal-gold !
The only result we could get in EM was by pre-embedding, using peroxydase on cryostat sections. But this is not very clean, and do not allow us to answer to our question because the precipitate could deposit into the sarcomere.
I plan to use, in pre or post embedding methods : - antifluorescein antibodies, linked to gold : I would appreciate any advice or recommandation about this kind of antibodies (specificity ? can we hope an amplification ?) - tyramide-biotin amplification : here also, I would appreciate any advice. In particular, is there an estimation of the maximum distance between the site of production and the site of fixation of the tyramide product ?
Any advice, or suggestion for another method, will be wellcome...
Thank you for your help ! Yann
_____________________________________________ Dr. Yann BASSAGLIA, PhD Universite Paris-Val de Marne Laboratoire CRRET / UPRESA CNRS 7053 Avenue du general de Gaulle F-94010 CRETEIL Cedex FRANCE
The three-day intensive hands-on workshop on Image Processing and Measurement presented by John Russ (author of "The Image Processing Handbook" and "Practical Stereology") through the North Carolina State University Department of Continuing and Professional Education is now in its 20th year. The course dates for 2002 are May 8 - 10 in Raleigh, NC, June 10-12 at the Danish Technological Institute in Taastrup, Denmark (near Copenhagen), and November 6-8, 2002, in Raleigh. This course has generated highly favorable reviews from the thousands of previous students. The primary focus is on images from various types of microscopy, with practical guidance in correcting imaging defects, enhancing the images for presentation and measurement, and performing stereological meaningful measurements on them. Textbooks and computer software are provided to attendees. Lab sessions with an opportunity to bring your own images makes this course immediately useful and highly productive.
For full information on the course, including outlines, faculty information, a downloadable brochure, and on-line registration, go to
http://members.AOL.com/IPCourse/
Class size is limited to maintain a high ratio of instructors to students, so make your reservation now. You may also contact Cindy Allen at NCSU Contin. Ed., at 919-515-8171
15th International Congress on EM (ICEM-15), Durban, South Africa, 1 - 6 September 2002.
* abstracts * scientific programme * good news for international delegates * important travel information
As the deadline for receipt of abstracts is rapidly approaching anyone intending to contribute should send their abstracts as soon as possible, according to the instructions in the Second Circular and Call for Abstracts, by courier please to the ICEM-15 office at this address:
ICEM-15 Turners Conferences 37 Jonsson Lane (off Victoria Embankment) Durban, South Africa
Those who received the Second Circular will have seen that a wide- ranging programme of scientific symposia has been put together by the programme committee, the advisory committee and the IFSEM executive. This has been further developed and there is now something for everyone in the programme, and a most impressive group of scientists from throughout the world has been assembled to chair the symposia and give invited lectures. This will be supplemented by the Technical Forum during which issues of a more technical nature will be discussed.
Excellent news for international delegates is that because of the complexities of international currency markets the South African Rand has depreciated to a large extent against the US$ and major European currencies over the past year. This means that cost of practically everything such as accommodation, meals, souvenirs, tours, car hire, etc, for delegates will be very low, and represents probably the best value for money that is obtainable anywhere.
Because the 2002 Earth Summit is taking place in Johannesburg during August, seats on flights to and from South Africa, and to come extent within Southern Africa, will be in high demand during that time. Delegates to ICEM-15 are therefore advised to book early. Contact your travel agent, or email Dudley Randall at Turners Conferences (turner17-at-galileosa.co.za) for advice and assistance.
We looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Durban in September. Everything is in place to ensure that ICEM- 15 provides all those who attend with a scientifically rewarding, memorable and most enjoyable experience.
Anyone requiring information should address enquiries to:
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I am currently looking at TEM of clays within heavy mineral containing coastal dunes in South Africa. I have completed extensive X-ray analyses of these clays but the expertise are not available in our university for the TEM studies. Are there any outstanding books available on this subject. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks. Chris Ware School of geological & computer sciences University of Natal South Africa {mailto:warec-at-nu.ac.za} warec-at-nu.ac.za
Fellow microscopists, We are looking into purchasing a processor (Mohr, #2950 from ted pella) to process our TEM negatives. This processor will be dedicated to TEM film processing. We would like to hear from others who have used this type of mechanical processing for TEM negatives (kodak 4489). Does it leave spots or residues, do you routinely lose negatives, is it expensive it terms of chemicals etc.? Thanks in advance for your responses.
Jon Mulholland Cell Sciences Imaging Facility Beckman Center B050 Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA 94305
I am currently trying to embed mineralized (CaCO3) collagen samples in TAAB epon resin, but am finding that it is not hard enough. As I am not as familiar with the different resins, I was hoping someone on here would be able to help me. I heard that I might possibly use PMMA. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Regards, Matt Olszta Graduate Research Assistant University of Florida
The journal, Clays and Clay Minerals, has a lot of articles on clays and often analysis by TEM. You should do a search of this journal for the particular clay/minerals you are interested in.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Gordon Ante Vrdoljak Electron Microscope Lab ICQ 23243541 http://nature.berkeley.edu/~gvrdolja 26 Giannini Hall gvrdolja-at-nature.berkeley.edu UC Berkeley phone (510) 642-2085 Berkeley CA 94720-3330 fax (510) 643-6207 cell (510) 290-6793
On Mon, 28 Jan 2002, Christopher Ware wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 } Content-Description: HTML } } I am currently looking at TEM of clays within heavy mineral } containing coastal dunes in South Africa. I have completed extensive } X-ray analyses of these clays but the expertise are not available in } our university for the TEM studies. Are there any outstanding books } available on this subject. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks. } Chris Ware } School of geological & computer sciences } University of Natal } South Africa } {mailto:warec-at-nu.ac.za} warec-at-nu.ac.za }
I am new to the SEM field and am tasked with learning how to prepare cross sections of microchips from silicon wafers (features of {0.25um). I have been unable to locate any information so references and any other advice would greatly help. Tools, accessories, books, on-line info., etc. Thank you
1) Get your hands on the MRS books on TEM sample prep III and IV. Sorry, I don't' have the MRS vol numbers on hand, but you can probably look them up on the MRS web site. 2) Look into taking the Lehigh course on TEM sample prep this summer. Two excellent instructors! http://www.lehigh.edu/~inmatsci/shortcourses/Microscourses.html
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Glass Technology Center P. O. Box 11472 (letters) Guys Run Rd. (packages) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
Walck-at-PPG.com
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8515 (fax)
-----Original Message----- } From: Curtis Olson [mailto:COlson-at-scpglobal.com] Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 4:26 PM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
I am new to the SEM field and am tasked with learning how to prepare cross sections of microchips from silicon wafers (features of {0.25um). I have been unable to locate any information so references and any other advice would greatly help. Tools, accessories, books, on-line info., etc. Thank you
When I cleaned out my EDS detector dewar, I discovered quite a bit of crud, including an ant, plus, of course a few ml of water.
I guess I should try to filter the LN2 as I pour it into the detector, but I've never been able to visualise what seems like a satisfactory funnel/filter configuration.
While it would be nice to filter out particles, and maybe even suspended ice crystals, I don't want to introduce additional problems.
Neither do I want to go through the occasionally heart-stopping performance of warming up the detector, taking it off the 840, cleaning out the dewar, remounting and recooling it any more frequently than I absolutely have to.
How do others deal with this?
cheers
rtch
Dr Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
Does anyone have any direct experience with using cacodylate vs. phosphate buffers with glutaraldehyde for fixing spermatozoa? I have a colleague having some sperm shipped from Africa, and she would like to use phosphate rather than cacodylate buffer. Also, I'm just curious as to why one might be superior to the other, barring toxicity issues. I've always used cacodylate for sperm.
Best,
Angela
Angela V. Klaus, Ph.D.
Director, Core Imaging Facility American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 USA
Perhaps someone will be able to provide some information regarding an unusual Unitron microscope objective.
The most unusual aspect of the objective is its length (8 cm or 3 inches). The threads are standard. It is engraved on one side of the barrel with "Phase Contrast D. M. UNITRON No.866" I know this indicates a Dark Medium Phase Contrast objective, and indeed I can see the phase annulus when I peer through it. But it is several times longer and heavier than another Unitron Phase objective I have. Althogh I can thread it into the nosepiece of my Unitron inverted scope, the nosepiece cannot be lowered far enough to accommodate the objective between the nosepiece and the stage.
The other side of the barrel is engraved "Coated F. F. 40X n.A. 0.45 T.L. 170 Quartz 1.00"
I know that T.L. = Tube Length and N. A. = Numerical Aperture.
What does the F. F. designation mean (Flat Field?) and what is the significance of the "Quartz 1.00?
What is the application for this objective? Mike Dalbey
Lecturer in Biology University of California, Santa Cruz
} When I cleaned out my EDS detector dewar, I discovered quite a bit of } crud, including an ant, plus, of course a few ml of water. }
Hey rtch,
Did the ant wake up again? Was it thirsty? Just wondering!
Can't really suggest a good filter but the Ln2 shoud be pretty clean and ice free already? I imagine most filters would make the filling process a bit of an ordeal. We just make sure the transfer dewars are completely clean and dry before starting and only carry the Ln2 with lids on the dewars. Using a lid substantially stops the ice you get from humidity being pulled out of the air. You should normally be able to go for many years without the ice getting so bad that it impacts on the performance of the dewar/eds?
This question has stimulated my curiosity about how long people generally find they can go before having to de-ice their systems -- in general.
Cheers mate.
Arthur.
Arthur Day, Electron Microscope Unit Phone: 61-2-9717-3457 Ansto Materials Division Fax: 61-2-9543-7179 PMB 1, Menai (Sydney), NSW, 2234 Email: ard-at-ansto.gov.au Australia www: http://www.ansto.gov.au/
You certainly came to the right place. I'm sure there are many members of the list who can share their experience with you on this subject. I would also suggest that you visit our website at www.southbaytech.com. If you click on "Applications Support" you will find sections containing application notes and technical reports. You will find numerous references to SEM and TEM cross sectioning. You can also type in the keyword "EM" to find all of our EM preparation equipment. Of particular interest will be our Model 590S Tripod Polisher.
In addition to the information you fins on our website, we also have our technical support staff who can walk you through the process. We can offer on-site training classes.
I hope this information helps. If you need anything else, please feel free to contact me directly off-line.
DISCLAIMER: South Bay Technology produces equipment and supplies as described above and, therefore, has a vested interest in promoting their use.
Best regards-
David
Curtis Olson wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } I am new to the SEM field and am tasked with learning how to prepare cross sections of microchips from silicon wafers (features of {0.25um). I have been unable to locate any information so references and any other advice would greatly help. Tools, accessories, books, on-line info., etc. Thank you } } Curtis
-- David Henriks TEL: +1-949-492-2600 South Bay Technology, Inc. FAX: +1-949-492-1499 1120 Via Callejon San Clemente, CA 92673 USA e-mail: henriks-at-southbaytech.com
Thanks for your suggestions for contacting Scanning Microscopy International. This organization closed its Chicago office due to lack of funds; it is not associated with journal 'Scanning' in any way. No-one was able to provide current contact information for Dr. Om. Johari.
I was able to obtain the required permission by contacting Dr. Godfried Roomans, one of the editors of the volume in question, directly, so this seems to be the approach that works. He's on the MSA membership directory:
Godfried M. Roomans Medical Cell Biology Univ Uppsala Box 571 Uppsala, S-75123, SWEDEN Tel: (46)18 4714114 Fax: (46)18 551120
Rick Powell
***************************************************************************************** Richard D. Powell * rpowell-at-nanoprobes.com * www.nanoprobes.com NANOPROBES, Incorporated 95 Horse Block Road, Yaphank, NY 11980-9710, USA
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Hello Ritchie, We use a cut 1.5 l PET lemonade bottle (the ones with rather thick walls, no the thin stuff; it does not get too cold and does not crack if dropped on the floor) as a funnel with a coffee filter bag taped into it. It works quite well. Be sure that there is enough space for the nitrogen to escape which boils off during filling . I always find a lot of debris in the filter when I change it (app. 2 times a year). Hope this helps Gerhard Frank
Ritchie Sims schrieb: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Hi, listers } } When I cleaned out my EDS detector dewar, I discovered quite a bit of } crud, including an ant, plus, of course a few ml of water. } } I guess I should try to filter the LN2 as I pour it into the } detector, but I've never been able to visualise what seems like a } satisfactory funnel/filter configuration. } } While it would be nice to filter out particles, and maybe even } suspended ice crystals, I don't want to introduce additional } problems. } } Neither do I want to go through the occasionally heart-stopping } performance of warming up the detector, taking it off the 840, } cleaning out the dewar, remounting and recooling it any more } frequently than I absolutely have to. } } How do others deal with this? } } cheers } } rtch } } Dr Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 } Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 } The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz } Private Bag 92019 } Auckland } New Zealand
-- Gerhard Frank UNIVERSITAET ERLANGEN-NUERNBERG Phone: +49 9131 85 28606 Institut fuer Werkstoffwissenschaften VII Fax: +49 9131 85 28602 Cauerstr. 6, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany Gerhard.Frank-at-ww.uni.erlangen.de
I tend to agree with Arthur's approach. Use clean, dry N2 buckets and don't let the N2 stand before filling to prevent ice buildup.
Many years ago I used a steel funnel with a mesh filter in the bottom to prevent water (ice) and dirt from entering the detectors but it was so much slower that I began to think that I was more likely to get water in from the ice buildup during the prolonged fill, so I gave up.
Don't use plastic funnels that are likely to shatter easily when cold. Apart from the safety aspect a little plastic piece in the EDX dewar really can affect the performance from the continual boiling.
As for regular cleaning of the dewar it is not something I have ever undertaken. We have cleaned out dewars when they are removed for service etc. (and also to remove a piece of plastic funnel) but never just to check the dewar is clean.
Regards to all, Ron
On Tue, 29 Jan 2002 17:37:13 +1100 Arthur Day {ard-at-ansto.gov.au} wrote:
} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } } When I cleaned out my EDS detector dewar, I discovered quite a bit of } } crud, including an ant, plus, of course a few ml of water. } } } } Hey rtch, } } Did the ant wake up again? Was it thirsty? Just wondering! } } Can't really suggest a good filter but the Ln2 shoud be pretty clean } and ice free already? I imagine most filters would make the filling } process a bit of an ordeal. We just make sure the transfer dewars are } completely clean and dry before starting and only carry the Ln2 with } lids on the dewars. Using a lid substantially stops the ice you get } from humidity being pulled out of the air. You should normally be } able to go for many years without the ice getting so bad that it } impacts on the performance of the dewar/eds? } } This question has stimulated my curiosity about how long people } generally find they can go before having to de-ice their systems -- } in general. } } Cheers mate. } } Arthur. } } } } } } Arthur Day, Electron Microscope Unit Phone: 61-2-9717-3457 } Ansto Materials Division Fax: 61-2-9543-7179 } PMB 1, Menai (Sydney), NSW, 2234 Email: ard-at-ansto.gov.au } Australia www: http://www.ansto.gov.au/ }
---------------------- Mr. R.C. Doole Department of Materials, University of Oxford. Parks Road, Oxford. OX1 3PH. UK. Phone +44 (0) 1865 273701 Fax +44 (0) 1865 283333 ron.doole-at-materials.ox.ac.uk
I am considering purchase of a digital camera for publication quality photography of fluorescence images on a Leica MZFLIII stereomicroscope. I would be grateful for advice / user recommendations on this
with best wishes
Chris Jeffree ========================================== Dr. Chris Jeffree University of Edinburgh BIOSEM - Biological Sciences Electron Microscope Facility Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology Waddington Building King's Buildings, Mayfield Road EDINBURGH, EH9 3JN, Scotland, UK Tel. #44 (0) 131 650 5554 FAX. #44 (0) 131 650 6563 Mobile 07710 585 401 email c.jeffree-at-ed.ac.uk =========================================
When we fill our dewar, we use a filter wipe (Kimwipes EX-L) to trap any ice or dirt. These filter wipes are an elongated strip which can be placed in the dewar neck to create a cavity approximately 3" deep. The extra length allows the edges to remain outside the dewar neck so it does not fall in. As with any filter, the fill time takes a little longer. After filling, we pull the filter wipe out, let it warm up to room temp, and use it to wipe any frost off of the dewar cap body. As a worst case, I have seen only ~10ml of water (max.) in the dewar over two years.
Hope this helps.
p.s. To follow the usual disclaimers, I have no affiliation with Kimberly-Clark.
Joseph M. Oparowski Materials Science Research - Consulting and Failure Analysis Bose Corporation Joseph_Oparowski-at-bose.com The Mountain, M/S 415 Phone: (508) 766-1371 Framingham, MA 01701-9168 Fax: (508) 766-1313
-----Original Message----- } From: Ritchie Sims [mailto:r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 8:24 AM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Hi, listers
When I cleaned out my EDS detector dewar, I discovered quite a bit of crud, including an ant, plus, of course a few ml of water.
I guess I should try to filter the LN2 as I pour it into the detector, but I've never been able to visualise what seems like a satisfactory funnel/filter configuration.
While it would be nice to filter out particles, and maybe even suspended ice crystals, I don't want to introduce additional problems.
Neither do I want to go through the occasionally heart-stopping performance of warming up the detector, taking it off the 840, cleaning out the dewar, remounting and recooling it any more frequently than I absolutely have to.
How do others deal with this?
cheers
rtch
Dr Ritchie Sims Phone : 64 9 3737599 ext 7713 Department of Geology Fax : 64 9 3737435 The University of Auckland email : r.sims-at-auckland.ac.nz Private Bag 92019 Auckland New Zealand
During registration to the Long Beach conference, I checked the option that the Proceedings volume should be sent to me by post. It still has not arrived.
Is there anyone in Europe who already received it by post? Might there be a problem with my copy?
Thank you in advance. Best regards:
János Lábár
Dr. habil, Janos L. Labar Scientific Advisor Research Institute for Technical Physics and Materials Science H-1121 Budapest, Konkoly-Thege u. 29-33 Postal address: H-1525 Budapest-114, Po Box 49 Tel: (36)(1) 392-26-92 Fax: (36)(1) 275-49-96 Fax/Phone: (36)(1) 392-25-86 home page: www.mfa.kfki.hu/~labar
We simply clamp in loosely packed cheesecloth and it works perfectly.
At 01:24 PM 1/29/2002 +0000, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
One of my clients in New Zealand uses the following filter technique with great success.
They pass their LN2 through a pad of cotton wool to filter out ice and other garbage. The important feature of the cotton is that it is the "clean fibres" type, not the type which has little bobbles within the fibres.
It works for them so if you can get a cotton that does not flake off when a liquid is passed through it, then I guess you have the right material for the task?
Steve Chapman Senior Consultant Protrain For consultancy and professional training in EM world wide Tel 44+ 1280 814774 Direct Line 816512 Fax 814007 www.emcourses.com
Angela: The main reason for using cacodylate instead of phosphate is that uranyl salts precipitate in the presence of phosphate. If one uses phosphate in the original fixative, then several washes into another buffer (e.g. through Tris into cacodylate) is required before finishing. Since I use en bloc staining with uranyl acetate, I prefer to use cacodylate throughout. I also think (based only on my own biased sampling) that I have less uranyl precipitation when staining on grids with cacodylate vs phosphate buffered tissues. Roger
-- Where the world is only slightly less weird than it actually is. } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } } Hi all... } } Sorry for this really basic question: } } Does anyone have any direct experience with using cacodylate vs. phosphate } buffers with glutaraldehyde for fixing spermatozoa? I have a colleague } having some sperm shipped from Africa, and she would like to use } phosphate rather than cacodylate buffer. Also, I'm just curious as to why } one might be superior to the other, barring toxicity issues. I've } always used cacodylate for sperm. } } Best, } } Angela } } Angela V. Klaus, Ph.D. } } Director, Core Imaging Facility } American Museum of Natural History } Central Park West at 79th Street } New York, NY 10024 USA } } Email: avklaus-at-amnh.org } Tel: 212-769-5977 } } }
I too prefer cacodylate buffer. However quite a few labs still use phosphate buffer, probably for safety reasons. I know that phosphate buffer can produce a precipitate. In Hayat's book Principles and Techniques of Electron Microscopy, Biological Applications, Third Edition; there is a section on buffers which may be helpful. Good Luck,
Jackie Garfield Lifecell Corporation One Millennium Way Branchburg, NJ 08876 (908) 947-1182 e-mail: jgarfield-at-lifecell.com
I have recently seen a micromanipulator assembly that can be added to a port on an SEM or FIB to probe samples within the vacuum at high magnifications (submicron resolutions). I would like the List to think with me for a bit about possible applications for such a device. The obvious one that comes to my mind is the electrical probing of devices in microelectronics, or maybe moving micro-particles around on a sample. If any of you in material science or biology can think of any possible applications I would like to hear from you off line.
Roy Beavers Southern Methodist University Dept. of Geological Sciences Electron Microprobe Lab P.O. Box 750395 Dallas, Tx 75275 voice: 214-768-2756 fax: 214-768-2701 E-mail: rbeavers-at-mail.smu.edu
Hi Angela We always use cacodylate buffer unless we are doing immuno labelling. Cacodylate does not react with uranyl acetate whereas you get aweful precipitates if there is any suggestion of phosphate buffer left when the specimen is put into uranyl acetate either with enblock or on-grid staining.
So if you are using phosphate buffer, you have to be very careful with washing. We would normally have a warm water wash to remove the phosphate before UA staining. Elaine
} Hi all... } } Sorry for this really basic question: } } Does anyone have any direct experience with using cacodylate vs. phosphate } buffers with glutaraldehyde for fixing spermatozoa? I have a colleague } having some sperm shipped from Africa, and she would like to use } phosphate rather than cacodylate buffer. Also, I'm just curious as to why } one might be superior to the other, barring toxicity issues. I've } always used cacodylate for sperm. } } Best, } } Angela } } Angela V. Klaus, Ph.D. } } Director, Core Imaging Facility } American Museum of Natural History } Central Park West at 79th Street } New York, NY 10024 USA } } Email: avklaus-at-amnh.org } Tel: 212-769-5977
-- Dr. Elaine Humphrey Director, Biosciences Electron Microscopy Facility First Vice President, Microscopy Society of Canada University of British Columbia 6270 University Blvd, mail-stop Botany Vancouver, BC CANADA, V6T 1Z4 Phone: 604-822-3354 FAX: 604-822-6089 e-mail: ech-at-unixg.ubc.ca website: www.emlab.ubc.ca
Allied High Tech Products, Inc. offers a complete line of equipment and consumables for sample preparation including IC cross-sections.
You can visit our website for information: www.alliedhightech.com, contact me to discuss your needs personally, or you can schedule a visit to Allied's facility for hands on training and demonstration of the equipment and polishing supplies that are used. An additional option is to have an Allied Product Application Specialist in your area come and discuss your applications.
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-----Original Message----- } From: Curtis Olson [mailto:COlson-at-scpglobal.com] Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 1:26 PM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
I am new to the SEM field and am tasked with learning how to prepare cross sections of microchips from silicon wafers (features of {0.25um). I have been unable to locate any information so references and any other advice would greatly help. Tools, accessories, books, on-line info., etc. Thank you
I used phosphate buffer for years in fixing bacterial samples for EM. However, when I started adding ruthenium red to my primary fix to better stabilize acidic mucopolysaccharides found on bacterial surfaces, precipitates started forming. So I switched to cacodylate buffer and the problem went away. I then use osmium in the post-fix step. Now, I am actually thinking of switching to HEPES buffer (used in tissue culture work) so I can get away from cacodylate and still use RR. I've fixed sperm with the same protocol.
Dr.Tina S. Schwach, President Microscopy Consulting Services Inc. 651-681-0112 ----- Original Message ----- } From: Angela Klaus To: microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com Sent: Monday, January 28, 2002 9:38 PM
Hi all...
Sorry for this really basic question:
Does anyone have any direct experience with using cacodylate vs. phosphate buffers with glutaraldehyde for fixing spermatozoa? I have a colleague having some sperm shipped from Africa, and she would like to use phosphate rather than cacodylate buffer. Also, I'm just curious as to why one might be superior to the other, barring toxicity issues. I've always used cacodylate for sperm.
Best,
Angela
Angela V. Klaus, Ph.D.
Director, Core Imaging Facility American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 USA
I have asked Bill Bailey, the editor of the Proceedings to find out if your copy was shipped or if there was another problem. Once I find out I will let you know.
Sorry about the problems.
Bob Price, Program Chair - M&M 2001 Long Beachs
} From: "Janos Labar" {labar-at-mfa.kfki.hu} To: "Microscopy ListServer" {Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com}
Another minor reason involves convenience. In my experience, the concentrated phosphate buffer stock that was stored in the refrigerator gradually developed crystals that had to be dissolved before the stock could be used. This didn't happen with the concentrated cacodylate buffer stock.
Kent
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A. Kent Christensen, Professor Emeritus Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical Science II Building University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0616 Tel (work) (734) 763-1287, Fax (work) (734) 763-1166 akc-at-umich.edu http://www.umich.edu/~akc/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--On Tuesday, January 29, 2002 8:52 AM -0600 "by way of Nestor J. Zaluzec" {rcmoretz-at-att.net} wrote:
} } Angela: } The main reason for using cacodylate instead of } phosphate is that uranyl salts precipitate in the } presence of phosphate. If one uses phosphate in the } original fixative, then several washes into another } buffer (e.g. through Tris into cacodylate) is required } before finishing. Since I use en bloc staining with } uranyl acetate, I prefer to use cacodylate throughout. } I also think (based only on my own biased sampling) that } I have less uranyl precipitation when staining on grids } with cacodylate vs phosphate buffered tissues. } Roger } } -- } Where the world is only slightly } less weird than it actually is.
} } Hi all... } } } } Sorry for this really basic question: } } } } Does anyone have any direct experience with using cacodylate vs. } } phosphate buffers with glutaraldehyde for fixing spermatozoa? I have } } a colleague having some sperm shipped from Africa, and she would like } } to use phosphate rather than cacodylate buffer. Also, I'm just } } curious as to why one might be superior to the other, barring toxicity } } issues. I've always used cacodylate for sperm. } } } } Best, } } } } Angela } } } } Angela V. Klaus, Ph.D. } } } } Director, Core Imaging Facility } } American Museum of Natural History } } Central Park West at 79th Street } } New York, NY 10024 USA } } } } Email: avklaus-at-amnh.org } } Tel: 212-769-5977
The Southeastern Microscopy Society will be having its annual meeting in Athens, Georgia, May 15-17, 2002 at the University of Georgia campus. More information can be found at: http://www.biotech.ufl.edu/sems/
I am using the measure tool of Adobe Photoshop 6.0 to measure distances on my EM images. I am making multiple measurements on each image. I cannot figure out how to save these measurements without writing them on a piece of paper. Does Photoshop save these measurements? If not, is there a plug-in that saves the measure tool measurements to a spreadsheet?
Go Rams,
John
John M. Basgen Department of Pediatrics University of Minnesota Mayo Mail Code 491 420 Delaware Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA Phone: 612-625-7979 FAX: 612-626-2791 E-mail: basgen-at-umn.edu
Consider getting John Russ' Image Processing Toolkit for Photoshop.
You can do what you want to do by adding a layer and drawing lines on top of the features that you want to measure. After the micrograph magnification has been calibrated in IPTK, you run the measure features plug-in in IPTK and you will get a text file. You can open the text file in Excel and get a list of all the features of all of the lines that you drew. You are only interested in the length of the lines. It works very well when you want to make a bunch of measurements say of a thickness of film in cross section and average them and find a standard deviation. There are other IPTK tools that actually can give you these values, without going into Excel, but I like to see the actual measurements.
-Scott
Scott D. Walck, Ph.D. PPG Industries, Inc. Glass Technology Center P. O. Box 11472 (letters) Guys Run Rd. (packages) Pittsburgh, PA 15238-0472
Walck-at-PPG.com
(412) 820-8651 (office) (412) 820-8515 (fax)
-----Original Message----- } From: John Basgen [mailto:basgen-at-maroon.tc.umn.edu] Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 5:20 PM To: Microscopy-at-sparc5.microscopy.com
Listers:
I am using the measure tool of Adobe Photoshop 6.0 to measure distances on my EM images. I am making multiple measurements on each image. I cannot figure out how to save these measurements without writing them on a piece of paper. Does Photoshop save these measurements? If not, is there a plug-in that saves the measure tool measurements to a spreadsheet?
Go Rams,
John
John M. Basgen Department of Pediatrics University of Minnesota Mayo Mail Code 491 420 Delaware Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA Phone: 612-625-7979 FAX: 612-626-2791 E-mail: basgen-at-umn.edu
Have you been thrown into the kitchen without any utensils? Sounds like it. Not a good situation.
At less than 0.25u feature size, the die will most certainly have barrier metal and probably TiW or TiN plugs. These die may also use Cu interconnects rather than Al. The ability to obtain good sections such that vias, runners, poly and passivation are all resolvable is a big challenge. The most direct and most accurate method is IMO a focused ion beam. Unfortunately, these are quite expensive (~$2M new, $600K used).
Larger feature size die can be sectioned with mechanical tools like those made by Buehler. These tools are not costly. They are typically set up as a sequential set of lapping stations (3-4 total) where each one uses progressively smaller size grinding powder and finally, a polishing powder.
In either case, the final step is "decoration." This is where the planar edge is selectively etched to recess oxide or metal. This can be done chemically, but plasma is best all around. The challenge here is to develop a recipe for recessing what you want to recess. This can take a bit of doing. An Oxford ICP-80 is a good tool for this. A key thing to watch out for is buying a plasma etch tool that cannot and will not handle corrosive gasses. And don't forget that your gasses will need to be in a gas cabinet and you may require a scrubber for exhaust gas.
Typical gasses are CF3, CF4, O2, Ar, N, BCL4, to name a few. A good oxide etch is CF4+O2. The O2 will kill a non-corrosive turbo and standard mechanical pump. Handling corrosive gasses drives the cost up.
Depending on your particular situation, why not outsource this work? There are many companies that will do this sectioning for under $200 a die. To get set up yourself is perhaps going to cost at least $100K + time. If there is a proprietary IP issue, how about mechanical reduction in-house with final finishing out-house?
gary g.
At 01:26 PM 1/28/2002, you wrote: } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America
In a message dated 1/29/02 5:33:32 PM, basgen-at-maroon.tc.umn.edu writes:
} I am using the measure tool of Adobe Photoshop 6.0 to measure distances } on my EM images. I am making multiple measurements on each image. I cannot figure } out how to save these measurements without writing them on a piece of paper. } Does Photoshop save these measurements? If not, is there a plug-in that saves } the measure tool measurements to a spreadsheet?
The measurement tool in Photoshop 6 does not produce values that are accessible to a plugin, and I do not know of a way to save them to a file. In the Image Processing Tool Kit we instead used the approach of allowing the user to draw lines on the image in any selected color (i.e., something not present naturally, such as black in a color image or red on a grey scale picture), and then measure the length of all the lines at once and write them to a spreadsheet file. The drawback of that method is that the order of the output values is not the way the user created them, but on the other hand they can be labelled with numbers and appear on the image so it is easy to print out a record of what you measured.
Dear Listers; Emispec Systems, Inc. would like to remind you we are hosting a course on ES Vision, April 15-18, 2002 at our facility in sunny/warm Tempe, AZ. This course introduces attendees to fully integrated electron microscopy and microanalysis through Emispec's ES Vision software. Through advances in software, it is now possible to control and acquire data from all of the detectors attached to an electron microscope (SEM/TEM/STEM) through one computer interface. This complete integration makes for more efficient experimentation, and opens the door for simultaneous acquisition from multiple detectors. Emispec's applications laboratory includes an FEI, LEO and JEOL TEM/STEMs that will be used for hands-on learning by attendees. Various detectors attached to these microscopes include: BF/DF STEM detectors, CCD cameras, TV cameras, EDX detectors and EELS spectrometers. These detectors will be used in combination to illustrate the fundamentals behind integrated microscopy. If you are interested in signing up for the course please logon to Emispecs website www.emispec.com navigate to the news page and select short course. If you have any additional questions you can contact us directly.
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I apologise if this has already been mentioned but phosphates also have a habit of precipitating calcium and magnesium ions which may be added at various stages during fixation to stabilise lipid based structures in the specimen (e.g. preservation of spindle fibres, myelin and membranes). Cacodylate has often been chosen simply because it has similar fixative vehicle properties to phosphate buffer but without the precipitation. It is also assumed that it will have better keeping properties because of its toxicity. I know that it was particularly popular for a lot of animal tissue fixation and I'm sure that I read somewhere once that it may cause more extraction giving a clearer cell matrix and so is better for nice contrasty pictures.
I do still have a bottle of cacodylate locked away but I prefer to use PIPES (or perhaps HEPES) because of the toxicity of cacodylate. PIPES seems to be a good general replacement for cacodylate and has none of the precipitation problems of phosphate. The only problem is that PIPES is more expensive, but is that really an issue when considering the safety and disposal of cacodylate?
Malcolm
Malcolm Haswell Electron Microscopy School of Sciences Fleming Building University of Sunderland SUNDERLAND SR1 3SD Tyne and Wear UK
Tel (44) (0)191 515 2872 e-mail: malcolm.haswell-at-sunderland.ac.uk
"akc-at-umich.edu"-at-sparc5.microscopy.com wrote: } } ------------------------------------------------------------------------ } The Microscopy ListServer -- Sponsor: The Microscopy Society of America } To Subscribe/Unsubscribe -- Send Email to ListServer-at-MSA.Microscopy.Com } On-Line Help http://www.msa.microscopy.com/MicroscopyListserver/FAQ.html } -----------------------------------------------------------------------. } } Another minor reason involves convenience. In my experience, the } concentrated phosphate buffer stock that was stored in the refrigerator } gradually developed crystals that had to be dissolved before the stock } could be used. This didn't happen with the concentrated cacodylate buffer } stock. } } Kent } } ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ } A. Kent Christensen, Professor Emeritus } Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical Science II Building } University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0616 } Tel (work) (734) 763-1287, Fax (work) (734) 763-1166 } akc-at-umich.edu http://www.umich.edu/~akc/ } ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ } } --On Tuesday, January 29, 2002 8:52 AM -0600 "by way of Nestor J. Zaluzec" } {rcmoretz-at-att.net} wrote: } } } } } Angela: } } The main reason for using cacodylate instead of } } phosphate is that uranyl salts precipitate in the } } presence of phosphate. If one uses phosphate in the } } original fixative, then several washes into another } } buffer (e.g. through Tris into cacodylate) is required } } before finishing. Since I use en bloc staining with } } uranyl acetate, I prefer to use cacodylate throughout. } } I also think (based only on my own biased sampling) that } } I have less uranyl precipitation when staining on grids } } with cacodylate vs phosphate buffered tissues. } } Roger } } } } -- } } Where the world is only slightly } } less weird than it actually is. } } } } Hi all... } } } } } } Sorry for this really basic question: } } } } } } Does anyone have any direct experience with using cacodylate vs. } } } phosphate buffers with glutaraldehyde for fixing spermatozoa? I have } } } a colleague having some sperm shipped from Africa, and she would like } } } to use phosphate rather than cacodylate buffer. Also, I'm just } } } curious as to why one might be superior to the other, barring toxicity } } } issues. I've always used cacodylate for sperm. } } } } } } Best, } } } } } } Angela } } } } } } Angela V. Klaus, Ph.D. } } } } } } Director, Core Imaging Facility } } } American Museum of Natural History } } } Central Park West at 79th Street } } } New York, NY 10024 USA } } } } } } Email: avklaus-at-amnh.org } } } Tel: 212-769-5977