Oxford Instruments Cypher SPM, Руководство пользователя

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Cypher SPM
User Guide
12
12 Glovebox Protocols
Cypher AFMs offer superb imaging performance inside of inert gas glovebox systems. While this
solution offers the ultimate protection of the sample and cantilever from ambient conditions, it is
not always practical to sequester an AFM inside of a glovebox for long periods of time. A decent
alternative strategy is to assemble the cell inside of a glovebox and then to carry this assembly to
the AFM which is located elsewhere.
The outlined glovebox preparation process prepares you for imaging under inert gas purge con-
ditions with the cell preassembled inside of a glovebox. The process leaves the Cypher AFM ready
to accept the sealed cell as it comes out of the glovebox.
While it is possible to leave the cell sealed during imaging, we suspect that oxygen and water vapor
will find their way into the cell over the course of minutes and hours, driving the conditions inside
of the cell away from the ~1 ppm levels inside of the glovebox where the cell was first assembled.
For this reason, we recommend the attachment of the inert gas purge line as soon as the cell is
mounted on the AFM.
Note: Imaging electrically insulating samples under conditions of very low water vapor can lead
to unwanted forces on the cantilever due to static electric charge. With the whole AFM inside
the glovebox, one can often mitigate these effects with devices (such as a static master) which
locally ionize the air around the sample. Inside the sealed cell of the Cypher ES it may prove chal-
lenging to introduce static control devices.
Before you begin, you must satisfy the following prerequisites:
l
Have a Cypher ES outfitted with a rotameter device for regulating inert gas flow and a standard
gas cantilever holder (901.758, see
Visual identification of ES cantilever holders on page 54 ).
l
Be familiar with basic imaging with the Cypher ES, described in AC mode imaging in air with the
environmental scanner on page 214 .
l
Have an ambient or heated or cooled sample stage.
For the example process we are using the ambient sample mount (see Ambient sample stage on
page 74 ).
12.1 Establishing the maximum inert gas flow rate
1. Start with a Cypher ES, fully prepared for imaging with gas perfusion.
See Gas perfusion imaging on page 96 .
2. Load a test sample and cantilever identical to what you plan on loading inside the glovebox.
Page 97 of 243 12 Glovebox Protocols