The SEM stage has motorized X, Y, Z, rotation, and tilt controls, all run with two joysticks. Samples are mounted with one of several holders that attach to the stage with a dovetail fitting. Several holders are available, or can be built for a wide range of samples. Larger samples can be attached to the top of any flat holder. For special purposes the whole motorized stage can be removed. Supplies for sample mounting are available in the SEM lab.
These holders belong to the SEM lab and are kept there.
LEFT: Spring-loaded clamps for holding two thin, flat samples up to about 3 mm thick, or several elongated samples like screws.
MIDDLE: Threaded jaw-type clamp for holding larger samples.
RIGHT: Mount for pin stubs, up to 9 small ones (1/2 inch) or fewer large ones.
These holders were specially designed and built for the Geosciences Department for common sample types used in geology. Copper tape is for calibrating the EDS detector.
LEFT: Holder for six 1 inch polished round mounts. Internal springs (actually cut soda straws) keep the mounts pressed flat up against the inner flanges.
RIGHT: Holder for six polished petrographic thin sections (27 x 46 mm).
This is another specially designed sample holder designed and built for the Geosciences Department. It accepts five polished petrographic thin sections (27 x 46 mm) and one 25.4 mm diameter standard block. Flanges inside the holes keep all specimens coplanar. This now also has a Faraday cup.
The bolts that hold the top and bottom halves are on the back. Put cut pieces of soda straws to push thin sections and the standard block against the flanges.
This dovetail is on the bottom of all of the holders shown here. It fits onto the SEM motorized stage dovetail mount. These can be purchased from Zeiss for your own specialized stage. As of this writing, the part number is 348242-0026-000, “Dovetail basic unit for customer’s own sample holders”, ~$150 US in about 2016.
