Microstat He Manual
7
Service and Maintenance
A number of simple procedures can be followed to resolve issues which may be encountered during routine operation. With proper care
and maintenance, the system should provide years of reliable operation.
7.1
Rubber O-rings
Whenever you remove part of the cryostat, or should you suspect that there is a leak on the system, check the O-rings on the sample
space and OVC. Ensure that the O-ring is clean, undamaged and lightly greased. Replace any damaged O-rings.
7.2
Removing the OVC and radiation shield - MicrostatHe and He-R
The OVC and radiation shield only need to be removed if you wish to:
• Change the windows
• Modify or repair the wiring
• Repair mechanical damage
Warm the cryostat to room temperature, as described above, then open the OVC pumping port to allow air into the system. If the internal
parts of the cryostat might still be cold, then use dry Nitrogan gas instead and ensure the system is warm throughout before opening the
OVC.
If the OVC is fixed to the microscope stage then it is not necessary to remove it. Release the NW4O clamp around the neck of the cryostat
and withdraw the cooling unit from the OVC.
This gives access to the radiation shield, which is removed by loosening the four screws and pulling the shield. The holes in the shield
have been slotted so the retaining screws do not need to be removed.
The sample holder, cold finger and wiring are now accessible. To remove the sample holder, loosen the retaining screw. As with the
radiation shield there is no need to remove the screw as the sample holder has been slotted.
The cold finger has two tapped holes to allow the sample holder to be turned over to face either window. The OVC has a pin which locates
in either one of two holes in the NW40 of the cooling unit to ensure it is replaced with the sample holder parallel to the window surface.
Before re-assembling, check the ’O’ring is clean, undamaged and lightly greased. Ensure that it is firmly pushed into place, to form a
vacuum-tight seal.
7.3
Window replacement - OptistatCF-V
If you need to clean the windows, they can all be removed as follows:
© 2017 Oxford Instruments Nanoscience
MAN-MHE-1.1.0 (28ff3d8) Sep 2017
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