Coolstage Peltier-cooled SEM stages
Coolstage Peltier-cooled SEM stages
The Coolstage is a Peltier-driven SEM cooling stage for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low vacuum (LV) or variable pressure (VP) applications. The stage can be cooled to sub-zero temperatures for specimens that may be sensitive at ambient temperature, subject to beam damage, or may otherwise ‘sublime’ (lose water) at ambient temperatures. There are three versions of coolstage - Standard, Enhanced and Ultra - to cover differing specimen requirements. Stubs also available separately.
NB: For a full low temperature cryo preparation system for SEM (including rapid freezing, vacuum transfer, cold fracturing, sublimation and sputtering) please see the PP3000T.
Features:
Standard Coolstage
- Temperature range -30ºC to +50ºC at 300Pa
- Self contained cooling - no additional external cooling water needed
- Temperature accuracy +/- 1.5ºC or 2% - whichever is greater
- Minimal image drift
- Cooling and heating rates of up to 30ºC per minute
- Keypad control - with simultaneous display of actual and target temperature
- Supplied with SEM chamber port feed-though - specify when ordering
- One-year warranty
Enhanced Coolstage
- Temperature range -30ºC to +160ºC at 300Pa
- All other specifications as per Standard Coolstage
Ultra Coolstage
- Temperature range -50ºC to +50ºC at 300Pa
- All other specifications as per Standard Coolstage
Compact, efficient cooling and temperature control
The temperature range of the Standard Coolstage is -30°C to +50°C at 300 Pa. The specimen holder is water-cooled using a small, self-contained closed loop recirculating chiller that is normally positioned approx 2m from the SEM. A microprocessor controls and monitors the temperature of the cold stage. A small keypad is used to set the required temperature and display target and current temperatures.
The specimen holder has been designed to minimise image drift due to temperature change, giving a stable image at high magnification. An integrated RS-232 interface allows temperature to be set and read from the SEM.
Rapid specimen exchange
To exchange a specimen it is necessary to increase the specimen stage temperature to ensure that condensation does not form on the specimen or specimen stage. The keypad controller has a convenient ‘exchange’ button that will automatically take the specimen holder temperature to a programmable temperature from between +5ºC to +20ºC. Typical cooling and heating rates are up to 30ºC per minute.
When not in use, the major parts of the system can be left in situ and the cooling stage is very easily removed when reverting to ‘normal’ use. A convenient storage block is provided for Coolstage stage assembly and vacuum feedthrough for when the system is not in use.
Specifications:
| Model | Standard | Enhanced | Ultra |
| Specimen size | 10mm Ø | ||
| Stage temperature range* | -30ºC to +50ºC at 300Pa with no external cooling water from SEM (at ambient +20ºC) | 30ºC to +160ºC at 300Pa with no external cooling water from SEM (at ambient +20ºC) | -50ºC to +50ºC at 300Pa with no external cooling water from SEM (at ambient +20ºC) |
| Temperature display resolution | 0.1°C | ||
| Temperature stability | +/- 0.2°C | ||
| Temperature accuracy | +/- 1.5ºC or 2% (whichever is greater) | ||
| Stage movement | Normal x, y and z movements maintained. Tilt maintained for X-ray analysis (up to 45°). No rotation | ||
| Working distance | As on SEM, Coolstage is set to the SEM Eucentric height | ||
| Operating voltage | 100V or 115V or 230V @ 100VA +/- 10% | ||
| Dimensions | 90mm L x 112mm W x 350mm H | ||
| Weight | 300g | ||
| Included | Operating manual, one set of interconnecting cables and mains supply lead, storage block for specimen cooling unit when not in use, specimen holders: 15 x flat 10mm Ø stubs and 15 x dish 10mm Ø OD stubs | ||
* Higher vacuum will allow for cooler temperatures, compatible with high vacuum levels to 1x10-5Pa
