- Use gloves and mount sample on a semstub (either carbon- or coppertape, or carbonpaint)

- Big sized objects (in vertical direction!!) or heavy objects should be discussed with a technician (see contacts below!).

- Check the CCD camera and look if something is off (other samples in or stage tilted etc.), check previous logbook entry for any comments.

- Write in logbook.

- If you have a non-standard sized object in the Z direction lower the stage (don't forget the ESC-button in case of emergency).

- Vent.

- Set the working folder (D:\User\<yourname>) on the Support-PC

- Once the green bar at the bottom is at 50% you should be able to open the door.

- Look at the camera if you open/close the door!

- Mount sample (wearing gloves, of course).

- Push the door a bit to make sure its closed.

- If you have a MAGNETIC MATERIAL then choose the option magnetic sample in the sample exchange window!

- Make sure to enable 'Take Nav-Cam Photo' (otherwise, do it manually once the chamber is pumped: Stage > Take Nav-Cam Photo)

- Pump (and choose no accessory).

- Change working folder (\\AO106-SPC\User\[yourname]) (also called the (Z:)) (in case it doesnt work; change it to D:/User and after you are done, transfer data using this computer (shortcut on desktop)

- Change use case to standard.

- Change detector to the ETD.

- Choose SEM settings HV and beam current (default: 15 kV, 0.10nA, insulators: 2kV, 13pA)

- Check if the pressure in chamber pressure <9.9e-5

- Turn on the beam

- Go to the highest sample and get a clear image. (Image black/white? Check the contrast/brightness (F3). Still black? Check detector.)

- Have a good focus at >20000x magnification. (This makes sure that the error in your calculated WD is small.)

- Press 'Link Z to FWD' (top toolbar, icon with red questionmark)

- Move the stage to 10 mm (while holding your finger above the ESC button to stop the stage)

- Lock the Z-axis.

- Either change the use case now or start imaging in the standard mode.

- Gather data (use either data03 or surfdrive to transfer)

- Beam off

- Fill in logbook

- Set parameters back to normal (standard mode/etd)

- Vent (once halfway again you can open the chamber while watching the screen again)

- Pump down (no accessory)

- Check that the chamber pressure goes down (if not wait for it and give a tiny push to the door)

- Wait until pressure is ~1e-4 mbar

- Copy your files from the working folder (D:\User\<yourname>) to microscope (\\data03.physics.leidenuniv.nl\microscope\<yourname>) if necessary.

- Clean up your mess

in case something non-standard happens contact Luc Wigbout tel: 071 527 5448, mail: wigbout@physics.leidenuniv.nl

For LION members, copy data to data03.

Check the crossover alignment: go to the tab `Direct Adjustments' and click crossover. If the image (circle) does not overlap with the green cross, drag the Source Tilt into the right place such that the beam overlaps with the cross again.