Press and “release” the AIR button and press the vacuum ON button. You
should hear the vacuum pull the door sealed shut.
When the vacuum is ready (10 or less on the vacuum gauge and RED high
vacuum light is off), the electron beam may be turned on.
Shutting down the SEM:
Turn the filament current to zero.
Turn off the high tension by pushing the HT button and letting it release.
Turn the black detector gain down 1 turn (clockwise).
Turn off the SE detector (push the button and let it release).
Turn the spot size to 500 (this is the lowest lens current setting).
Turn the magnification control to maximum (lowest lens current setting).
Turn off the light column switch.
Turn off the “marker” switch.
The SEM can be left in this setting as standby mode for the d a y .
Do not leave the SEM on o v e r n i g ht .
To completely
shut down the SEM (overnight
or longer):
Press the vacuum OFF button.
Press the power OFF button.
Set the cooling water timer to at least 30 minutes to cool the diffusion pump
(quickly turn clockwise past OFF to >30).
If the microscope will not be used again for an extended period (1-2 days or
more), then turn off the master mains switch.
Please be sure that specimens are prepared properly and are free of volatile
substances. Otherwise, the detector and final pole piece aperture will
become contaminated and degrade the SEM performance.
