SEM
The Scanning Electron Microscope at Noisebridge.
- "TV Mini-SEM (R)" by ISI (International Scientific Instruments)
- lives in the "science ghetto" on the west end of the south wall at 2169.
- is tended by Mike Kan and the rest of the SEM mailing list
Warnings
- If you release the vacuum without venting the pump hose, pump oil will flood the chamber and contaminate the entire mechanism, requiring 10 hours of cleanup.
- If you vent air into the column without powering down the filament, you'll probably destroy the filament ($100).
- If you
Startup procedures
- get the power cord from Mike.
- (to be continued)
Todo list
- column liner needs to be replaced. Larry may be able to provide a clean liner. (2010-06-15)
- (long term) build digital capture stage to replace CRT mechanism (2010-06-15)
- build sputter coater for specimen preparation (2010-06-15)
- test repair of X Stigmator circuit. Replaced 741 op amp. (ongoing, work began 2010-11-20)
Repair and Enhancement
- schematics framed behind SEM are to a similar, potentially slightly more modern model
- poorly designed wire harness may cause linear op amp and transistor on the J1 board of the CRT module to fail
- camera mounting stage and bellows hood for slow-scan exposure. Proposed (2010-06-15), Completed by Mike, Miloh, and Chris (2010-11-06)
Specifications
- Delivered in September, 1975
- magnifies up to 20,000x (reliably up to 700x in its present condition)
- outputs to a CRT
- non-digital, non-NTSC, non-PAL, analog output signal
Documentation
Media: Vacuum_System_Operating_Instructions.pdf - How to start the pump
Media: ISI_Mini-TV_SEM_Manual-Troubleshooting-Reference_Guide.pdf - How to use and fix the SEM
Media: Specimen_Stage_Service_Request.pdf - Why the rotating stage is broken
Media: Cards.pdf - Historic docs
Media: Other_Docs.pdf - Repair notes
Original Packing List - coming soon
Schematics
Overall schematics for the TV MINI-SEM (Model: MRS-2-2 WN76-7-01). These schematics are for a model of SEM that is perhaps newer than than the SEM at Noisebridge. It is still an invaluable reference to the technician. Note: This schematic is a mosaic of 9 images stitched together with Hugin 2010.2.0. Some minor alignment issues exist in the content of the schematic. I think alignment can be guessed/interpreted accurately. Available in: LOW RES 1.5MB (4330 x 3109, posterized grayscale, JPEG) and HIGH RES 8MB (8680 x 6217, color, JPEG).
Media: Schematic_of_Photomultiplier.pdf
Media: Polaron_Pirani_Schematics-PE_Pir-SW_Issue_4_E5000.pdf - Polaron Pirani sputter coater schematics
Media: Polaron_Pirani_Gauge_Head_for_Sputter_Coater.pdf