Current news from IMRI facilities
//Dear Kratos-Supra Users, The XPS mode is now working after replacements with a new x-ray gun and a x-ray power source. The new x-ray gun is an updated version and the emission current is limited at max 20 mA. All other modes (UPS, GCIS) are working normally as before. XPS sessions now can be reserved on the website. As always, please check the instrument status and blog before making your reservation. Thanks, Ich
//XPS mode of the SUPRA is not functioning due to a failure of the X-ray Source Power Supply. We are waiting for a new PSU, shipped out from Kratos. Other functions (UPS, GCIS and Glove Box transfer) are working normally. Please check the instrument status for the update information on the XPS mode.
Ich Tran
//FEG will be replaced on 3/22/2016. It is expected that the SEM will be up by Friday 3/25/2015
//No FIB emission on last Friday. FEI engineer is informed. He tested it and will continue working on it
//Problem: The SEM does not reach vacuum regardless of how often it is vented and pumped. An engineer will be contacted ASAP to resolve the issue. Sorry for the inconvenience.
//Problem: SEM signal is weak. Using big current together with ETD and field free mode, you get SEM reasonable good images (>20nm), but the image quality is not as good as before. Immersion mode is not working. Waiting for engineer to check
//Because of FEG replacement, the SEM will be down today and tomorrow
//A Precision-Aire Pneumatic Leveling Mount of the machine table was broken that leaks pressurized air, making loud noise and cannot maintain the vibration level required for the normal working conditions of the machine. Kratos has been contacted for the replacement
Update (12/18/2015): The Kratos-SUPRA is now working normally in XPS, GCIS modes. We will have to replace the broken foot of the table in near future.
//The Kratos-SUPRA has been restored to operational in most common modes (XPS, depth profiling). During this maintenance period, the x-ray gun filament was replaced, the low count rate issues was fixed by cleaning out the restrictors on the cooling water lines. Currently, the pressure of SAC is at ~2E-09 torr. A long bake-out of the system is planned and the schedule will be updated. We recommend to keep your “degassing” samples in the loadlock chamber to pump down until the pressure reaches mid E-07 torr, before transferring to SAC
I am proud to be part of the team at LEXI, IMRI and UCI to work and collaborate with you on this machine and other projects. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issues, problems and questions related to your experiments and applications using the instrument.
Ich Tran
//FIB gun became unstable on last weekend. FEI engineer happened to be on site. He suggests that is necessary to change the gun parts. I have got a quote and an internal approval on Monday. PO request was sent to campus for approval on the same day. Waiting for the parts now…. Meanwhile, I contacted FEI service manager and asked for help for a quick solution to the parts.