Protochips Atmosphere E-Chip & Consumables User Guide

Protochips Atmosphere E-Chip & Consumables

Atmosphere E-chips

The Atmosphere E-chip family of sample supports provides an unparalleled level of flexibility for your in situ gas environment experiments. Atmosphere experiments utilize a small and large E-chip that form the bottom and top of the closed-cell design, respectively. Because each experiment requires both E-chips, Prototypes offers multiple combinations to optimize your imaging conditions whether you are imaging with JEOL or Thermo Fisher Scientific microscopes. E-chips containing a durable ceramic heating membrane are uniquely calibrated for thermal accuracy, and all E-chips utilize an amorphous silicon nitride window that creates a strong barrier for containing gases with minimal beam scatter.

Three Key Parameters for Atmosphere E-chips

Optimized for STEM and EDS

When conducting STEM and EDS experiments, sample placement at the top of the closed cell is preferred in order to minimize beam scatter and maximize EDS counts per second (CPS). Because Atmosphere is assembled with the large E-chip on top of the small E-chip, it is recommended to pair EAT-33AA and EAB-33W E-chips for these imaging modes. In this configuration, the heating membrane is integrated into the large chip, so samples should be placed or deposited on the large E-chip.

Optimized for TEM and HRTEM
When conducting TEM and HRTEM experiments, sample placement at the bottom of the closed cell is preferred in order to minimize beam scatter and maximize imaging resolution. Because Atmosphere is assembled with the large E-chip on top of the small E-chip, it is recommended to pair EAB-33AB and EAT-33W E-chips for these imaging modes. In this configuration, the large E-chip creates an electrical connection between the small E-chip spacers and the electrical contacts on the holder. The heating membrane is integrated into the small E-chip, so samples should be placed or deposited on the small E-chip.

Spacer Height
The thickness of the gaseous layer is established through embedded spacers on the small E-chips. This spacer sets the minimum spacing between the two E-chips, and all Atmosphere E-chip spacer heights are fixed at 5 μm.

How to Order?
Please contact us directly at orders@protochips.com including part
numbers and quantities (multiples of 10).
Note: One large and one small E-chip will be required for each experiment.
For additional information, please visit: www.protochips.com
www.protochips.com/success
Call us at 919.377.0800

Guidelines for Use

1. Use the provided calibration file for each heating E-chip, before the experiment. Download calibration files at echips.protochips.com
2. An ex situ leak check is required before every experiment.
3. Atmosphere E-chips are compatible with a variety of samples and sample preparation techniques including drop casting, FIB preparation, and other lift out techniques. For more information, visit success.protochips.com or consult the Atmosphere manual and sample prep guides.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, JEOL, Nion are registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Heater and Window E-chips

E-chip Membrane Size

• 300 µm x 300 µm

Large E-chip Dimensions

• Length: 6.0 mm
• Width: 4.5 mm
• Thickness: 300 µm

Small E-chip Dimensions

• Length: 2 mm
• Width: 2 mm
• Thickness: 300 µm
• Spacer Thickness: 5 µm

Note: E-chips fit both Thermo Fisher Scientific and JEOL TEM Atmosphere systems.

All feature dimensions listed should be considered nominal. Variations in dimensions can occur.

Streamline Your Workflow

Tools for Sample Preparation and Characterization

Sample preparation is an important step to your in situ experiment as it sets the foundation for every step you take thereafter. The ability to reproduce your experiment in the future can be heavily dependent on the reproducibility of the sample preparation process. Prototypes has developed several tools that will help you create a highly reproducible sample preparation process that will save time and prevent wasted sample and E-chips.

Shadow Mask
Enables precise sample deposition on a targeted area of the E-chip. Compatible with Poseidon Select, Atmosphere, and Fusion Select E-chips:

• Prevents electrical shorts
• Keeps spacers on closed-cell E-chips clean
• Compatible with common PVD instrumentation (sputter coaters, evaporators, etc.), drop casting, and dry powder depositions
• Request part number: SHW-MSK-PKG

Inspection Holder
Optimize your sample distribution & concentration and perform pre-and post- mortem characterization of your sample right on the E-chip. Primarily used alongside Poseidon Select and Atmosphere experiments, but will also hold a Fusion E-chip.

• Check for agglomerations and sample concentration before assembling and leak checking
• Compatible with TEM plasma cleaners – deposit sample and plasma clean your E- chip all while held securely in the holder
• Complement your in situ data by performing high-resolution imaging, EDS, EELS, and diffraction of your sample on the E-chip before and after the experiment
• Observe areas that were and were not exposed to the beam during the in situ experiment and analyze how the combination of beam and environment affected the sample
• Request part number: APA-WKFL-TFS (Thermo Fisher Scientific microscopes) or APA-WKFL-JEOL (JEOL microscopes)

FIB Stub
The FIB stub in combination with our step-by-step guide for FIB sample deposition onto membrane and membrane-free E-chips will help ensure your time spent at the FIB does not go to waste. Compatible with Poseidon Select, Atmosphere, and Fusion Select E-chips with a special notch for the Fusion Select FIB-optimized electrical E-chips.

• Designed specifically to securely hold E-chips
• Step-by-step guides give specific angles and instructions for successful deposition and thinning on the E-chip (guides are located on the Success Community)
• Top notch is designed to hold our Fusion Select FIB-optimized electrical E-chip vertically so the deposition process mimics using a typical half-grid for a familiar feel.
• Request part number: FIB-STUB

If you have a question or would like to place an order for any of the above workflow items, please email ordes@protochips.com. For supporting documentation and troubleshooting guides for all in situ systems, please visit success.protochips.com or email support@protochips.com.

Tip Consumables & Special Purpose E-chips

Special Purpose E-chips (Not for TEM Imaging)
Special purpose E-chips, not designed for imaging. See Product Description for more information.

Part Number| Type| Quantity| Description| Specifications
---|---|---|---|---
EPT-001-10| Blank E-chip: Large| 10| Large E-chip without viewing window. Used for testing vacuum and storage.|
EPB-001-10| Blank E-chip: Small| 10| Small E-chip without viewing window.
Used for testing vacuum and storage|
E-MSK-21A-10| Shadow Mask E-chip: Narrow Opening|

10

| E-chip mask for depositing sample with the mask jig. Not for use in the TEM.| 240 x 120 Micron

Deposit Area

E-MSK-11A-10| Shadow Mask E-chip: Square Opening|

10

| E-chip mask for depositing sample with the mask jig. Not for use in the TEM.| 120 x 120 Micron

Deposit Area

Gaskets & O-rings
Gaskets should be replaced periodically when surface wear is observed, excessive debris does not respond to cleaning, or when working with aggressive solvents.

Compatible Tip (PJES)
APA-GK-PF05| 5| Perfluoroelastomer gasket-style O-rings for sealing E-chips in tip of gasket compatible* Poseidon or Atmosphere TEM holders.| Standard Tip (JEOL and ThermoFisher)
APA-OR-PF05| 5 Sets| Perfluoroelastomer O-ring Kit – set of 5: Includes: 5 small O-rings (1.3 x 0.30mm) and 5 large O-rings (3.7 x 0.30mm). Compatible with both Poseidon and Atmosphere. Not Compatible with JEOL UHR compatible tip.|

Standard Tip (JEOL and ThermoFisher)

| * Please reach out to customer support if you are unsure if your holder is gasket compatible

Lid Screws
The brass screws that attach the lid of the Atmosphere holder to the tip should be replaced whenever the threading begins to show signs of wear or thread stripping.

Atmosphere.

Atmosphere Select Spare & Replacement Parts:

Replacement Ferrules & Connections

Connectors and plugs for the Atmosphere TEM holder. Please check the connector size required for your system.

Spare PEEK ferrules, nuts and plugs to fit 0.8 mm lines for Atmosphere systems.
Compatible with Atmosphere 200 systems ONLY.
G-SPARE-FERRULE-1.6| One Piece PEEK Ferrule/Nuts (QTY 4) PEEK Plugs (QTY 2)| Spare PEEK ferrules, nuts and plugs to fit 1.6 mm lines for Atmosphere systems.
Compatible Atmosphere 210 systems ONLY

Replacement Tubing
PEEK clad silica lines used to deliver gases from the Atmosphere manifold to the Atmosphere TEM holder. Available in three lengths.

connect the Atmosphere 210 holder to the boom/RGA.
Does not include PEEK ferrules.
Compatible only with Atmosphere 210 systems.
G-SPARE-PSLINES-1.0| 1.0m Inlet Gas Line w/Quick Connect (1) 1.0m Outlet Gas Line w/Quick Connect (1)| PEEK clad silica gas lines 1.0 meter length – to connect the Atmosphere 210 holder to the boom/RGA.
Does not include PEEK ferrules.
Compatible only with Atmosphere 210 systems.
G-SPARE-PSLINES-1.5| 1.5m Inlet Gas Line w/Quick Connect (1) 1.5m Outlet Gas Line w/Quick Connect (1)| PEEK clad silica gas lines 1.5 meter length – to connect the Atmosphere 210 holder to the boom/RGA.
Does not include PEEK ferrules.
Compatible only with Atmosphere 210 systems.

We will be happy to direct you to the right part and supplier for other standard gas connections such as: Standard gas handling components such as quick connect keys, regulator compression fittings and Teflon tubing. Please reach out to support@Protochips.com

Miscellaneous Supplies

Many accessory items that work well with the Atmosphere system are available as part of the Poseidon Select Toolkit, which is available from our partner, Electron Microscopy Sciences (EMS).

Orders may be placed directly through EMS

https://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/products/tem/holder.aspx

Small Volume Pipette 0.1-2µl – Autoclavable. Small volume allows for precise deposition of sample onto the Poseidon E-chip. Requires compatible pipette tips

Pipette Tips – 10 ul disposable pipette tips, required for the small volume pipette.

Watch Glass – 75 mm diameter. Used to plasma clean E-chips to ensure they are clean and hydrophilic. Curved watch glass makes placing and picking up E-chips easier.

Torque Screw Driver – for tightening lid screws.

Torque Driver Bit – for Torque Screw Driver

Torque Driver Adapter – Insert Bit 1/4″ Dr Hex Adapters. Adapter holds the torque driver bit, so it can be inserted into the torque driver

Style 2A Straight-Tip PVDF Tweezers – Carbon tip tweezers help to avoid chipping the E-chip silicon

Style 7 Curved-Tip PVDF Tweezers – Carbon tip tweezers help to avoid chipping the E-chip silicon SA-00004 5.5

Additional Replacement Parts

Did something not listed above get lost or damaged? Replacement tip lids, holder stands, cables, etc are available. Contact orders@Protochips.com with a description of the part you need and holder serial number for a quote

Add More Capability to your Existing System
Upgrade your system with more advanced capabilities.
Please contact sales@Protochips.com for a personalized quote.

Vapor Delivery Kit
Vapor delivery kit for Atmosphere 210 systems designed to vaporize liquids at room temperature, including water, alcohols and alkanes.

• Snap-on Vapor Reservoir kit that can be removed at anytime
• Vapor pressure monitored to prevent condensation
• Request Part # AA-VAPOR-01

*Only Compatible with Atmosphere 210

Residual Gas Analyzer Mass Spectrometer
Integrated residual gas analyzer mass spectrometer (RGA-MS) upgrade for Atmosphere 210 systems designed for quiet operation in a TEM laboratory.

• Quadropole Mass Spectrometer & Software
• Turbo Pump, vacuum gauge, and bake-out system
• Required Fittings
• Contact Sales@Protochips.com for quote

Leak Check System
Prototypes’ recommended system for performing leak checks and storing the holder to minimize contamination.

• Highvac turbo dry pumping station with full-scale gauge, auto vent valve.
• Detachable flange for TEM holder
• Request part number: LKCK-AV-TFS (Thermo Fisher Scientific microscopes) or LKCK-AV-JEOL (JEOL microscopes)

Ready to go Further?
Take your in-situ capabilities further with Protochips’ revolutionary AXON software.
Please contact sales@Protochips.com for a personalized quote.

AXON Machine Vision Software Platform
Redefine your in situ experience by linking the transmission electron microscopy detectors and in situ systems together with a revolutionary new tool.

• Improves data quality, enhances and extends your current microscope capabilities and makes in situ experiments easier for the novice to most advanced users.
• The AXON platform is a module-based software solution. Easily plug in new modules as they are released, and your system will stay up to date with the latest features.
• Contact your local Prototypes’ representative for a quote optimized for your setup.

Support
Not sure what E-chip or tool you need? Our applications scientists are always happy to help you find the right configuration for your experiment.
Contact support@Protochips.com and we’ll connect you with one of our highly-skilled applications scientists.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP!

References

• Protochips E-Chip Calibration Files
• Customer Community
• Protochips | Advanced in situ TEM Solutions & Sample Supports
• Omniprobe Lift-Out Grids, TEM Holders, and Thinning

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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