JEOL JSM-6060LV SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE
7
Instrument Operation
his section will walk you through the basic operation of the scanning electron
microscope. You will follow a series of tasks that includes
• Powering up the instrument,
• Loading your sample,
• Evacuating the chamber,
• Turning on the electron gun, and
• Gazing at some wonderful high magnification images.
Instrument Startup
1. If the instrument is already turned on, skip to the next section on Sample Loading. If the
instrument is off, continue to Step 2.
2. Turn on the water chiller. The on/off switch is on the front panel. The temperature should
read between 65 and 69 degrees F.
3. Turn on the SEM by turning and releasing the key on the front panel of the instrument (it’s
just like starting a car).
4. Turn on the Dell computer on the left and hit the ENTER key at the log on screen (no
password necessary).
Sample Loading
1. If the chamber is evacuated (EVAC button on the front of the instrument is lit green), press
and hold the VENT button until it lights up yellow. This will vent the chamber.
2. Wait for the VENT button to stop flashing (about 40 seconds).
3. Open the chamber by grabbing the door assembly at the side depressions and carefully sliding
the door assembly outwards. You should be able to see the brass, circular platform of the
sample stage when you slide open the door.
4. Slide your sample holder with sample attached onto the copper-colored dovetail on the stage.
5. CAUTION: Adjust the sample height so that the top of the sample is well below the
position of the interior chamber components (detectors, lenses, etc.). Use the z-axis control
(the adjustment on the door assembly with the knob that is pointing straight up and the
micrometer with horizontal divisions) for height adjustments. Steer clear of anything inside
the chamber.
Bumping interior components can cause thousands of dollars in damage to the
instrument. Know your sample height, and know approximately how much clearance you
have around your sample, particularly along the z-axis.
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