Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) (2)

2. Creating Vacuum in SEM

Once you have completed these two steps, you are ready to place the object into the SEM machine.

 

Open the SEM machine, place the object inside, and ensure that the door is securely closed to establish a proper vacuum.

 

Next, press the "pump" button to initiate the vacuum.

 

However, if the vacuum is not properly established, there could be two potential causes:

 

The door is not closed properly.

There is water present on the sample being measured.

The program is experiencing a lag.

During the process of sectioning the substrate, it is easy for water to enter the mold. If water is not completely removed, the Pt coating may not adhere well, and the SEM vacuum may not be established. In such cases, thoroughly remove any moisture and proceed with another round of Pt coating.

 

If the program experiences a lag, press the "vent" button to release the vacuum and then press the "pump" button again to create a vacuum.

 

In the upcoming sections, we will focus more on explaining the functions of each button rather than the overall process.

 

We will continue with Part 3.