Sample preparation labs

Sample preparation

As the quality of the sample is a crucial and important factor for the TEM investigation, several different machines are available for the wide range of user needs regarding the sample preparation. Mechanical methods like grinding, dimpling and polishing can be used for bulk material removal and geometrically precise polishing techniques. Ion beam instruments offer final milling as well as cleaning methods. Soft materials can be prepared in the cryo-ultramicrotome either at ambient or at cryo-temperatures. Additional equipment like wire saws, coating machines, evaporators, spin coater, ovens are available as well as a glove box, a plasma cleaner and various light microscopes.

• 1 Ion Polishing Systems (Gatan PIPS II with low-energy ion guns and LN₂ cooling)
• Various grinding machines (Struers LaboPol-21, Buehler EcoMet30)
• Semiautomatic polishing machine (Allied Multiprep)
• Low volume semi-automatic polisher (Buehler Minimet 1000)
• 2 Wire Saws (Well model 3400 and 3242)
• Precision cutter (Buehler Isomet1000)
• 2 Dimpling machines (Gatan model 656)
• Ultrasonic cutter (Gatan model 601)
• Coating machines (Korvus HEX Base 300, Baltec Med 020)
• Carbon Coater (Leica EM ACE200)
• Evaporators
• Spin coater (Laurell WS650Mz-23NPP)
• Automatic film applicator (Zehntner ZAA 2300)
• Cryo-ultramicrotome (Leica EM UC6)
• Different ovens (Binder VD53, Gero HTRH 40-250/16, Gero SR 100-650)
• Various light microscopes (Zeiss, Nikon)
• Stereo microscopes (Leica M205C, M80, S9)
• Plasma Cleaners (Fishione Model 1020 and Model 1070)
• Glove Box (GS T3)
• Tabletop ultra-centrifuge (Hermle Z36HK)
• Analytical balance (Mettler-Toledo XS204DR)
• Precision balance (Kern & Sohn PBJ 4200-2M)
• Vitrobot (FEI Vitrobot MarkIV)