Philips CM120 User Manual

FEI/PHILIPS CM120 TEM

Overview.

CM120 is a transmission electron microscope with a maximum acceleration voltage of 120 kV.
The main microscope controls are localized on the LEFT and RIGHT panels:

The left panel – contains
only two controls
important for users to
know:

• Intensity (beam).

• WOBBLER (for focusing).

The right panel –
contains most of the
CM120 controls:

• Microscope ON/OFF switch.

• Vacuum system ON/OFF switch

(in normal operation the OFF
switch is lit).

• Ultra High Vacuum (UHV)
indicator (normally is lit).

• High Vacuum (HIVAC) indicator
(normally is lit).

• High Tension (HT) button
(normally is lit).

• Filament knob.

• Emission (beam current)

indicator.

• Computer monitor.

• Spot size knob.

• Magnification knob.

• Focus knob.

• Beam shift, X and Y.

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Computer monitor.

An internal computer controls all
microscope functions. The
computer monitor on the right
panel provides all information
about the microscope’s condition.
Information on the computer is
organized into “pages.”
Computer has no keyboard, but is
operated by the green buttons on
the left and right sides of the
screen. These buttons function in
two ways: (1) select/change the
page and (2) set/change the
parameters. The buttons function
differently on different pages
depending on the content. There
is a magical button called
“Ready” on the bottom-right side

of the monitor. It takes you one
step back in the Menu hierarchy. Sometime it also functions as an “Enter” button. Combine the
green and “Ready” buttons to change the screen pages. The hierarchy of the pages is: CM120
 MODES  TEM LOW DOSE…

The “TEM Low Dose Bright Field” screen (seen above) is normally used for everyday operation. It
contains three fields: left and right fields label the green buttons (MODES, COMPUSTAGE and
VACUUM are commonly used); the central field contains information about the microscope status.
Most information is self-explanatory: magnification, accelerating voltage, spot size etc. Many options
for the green buttons are also self-explanatory. For instance, pressing the green button next to the
“VACUUM” will bring up the CM120 vacuum diagram:

On the diagram, a white background
indicates that a valve is open (V7), black
– closed (V10). For proper microscope
operation the following conditions must
be met:

V3, V4, V5, and V7 valves – open;
P3 and IGP reading (bottom of the

page) – less than 30.

Abbreviation used on this page:
Getter Pump; ODP – Oil Diffusion Pump; PVP –
Mechanical Pump; BUF – buffer tank; CAM –
photo camera; COL – column; GUN – electron
gun.

Similarly, other functions may be
accessed by pressing the corresponding

green button. Pressing “Ready” returns you to the previous screen.

IGP – Ion

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Grid-holder.

For those who have had previous experience with JEOL microscopes, CM120 holder will feel very
fragile and delicate. It’s very true. Please, pay special attention when handling FEI/Phillips holders –
they ARE really fragile and delicate! Before using, inspect the holder: check the O-ring for cracks or
dust, it must be clean; Check conical area next to the O-ring – it must be clean without visual
scratches etc; Inspect clamp mechanism, make sure it’s not damaged. Report any problem
immediately! Please, be aware: most of the FEI/Phillips holders could hold only one grid!

How to load the grid?

There is a special “tool” to open the “clamp,” which holds the grid in the “carrier.” In order to open the clamp,
(1) locate the small hole at the base of the clamp. (2) Insert the tool into the hole and slowly move the clamp up
into a vertical position (make sure the clamp is secured in this position); do not apply excessive force! (3)
When clamp is in the vertical position, load the grid into the carrier; make sure it’s centered well and slowly
move clamp down into the closed position. Control this movement with the tool. Do not remove the tool from
the hole unless clamp is completely closed. The normal orientation for the grid is sample down. Do not use
tweezers etc. to manipulate the clamp. Improper operation will damage the clamp mechanism.

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