Current news from IMRI facilities
//The chiller for XL30 SEM was down yesterday evening. I am contacting vendor and ordering parts now. It may take at least one week to get this chiller fixed. Please check the comments in the blog for new update.
//OMNI probe was bent and the setting was messed up during my vacation. After returning to Irvine, I replaced the bent tip with a new one, but could not solve the setting problem. With the on-line assistance of FEI engineer, the problem could not be solved either. FEI engineer will be on campus on July 25.
Please report problems when they occur. Users are not expected to fix any machine problems.
//The ion mill was down again. Testing results indicate that it needs to be shipped to vendor for repair. It is uploaded in a crate and ready to go. The PO request was approved. Calit2 business office is working with Fischione to have it shipped to the vendor now. The repair could take 4 weeks or longer. Please read comments for further updates.
//The vent valve was damaged by a user. Mingje is contacting a vendor for a new valve
//It was reported this morning that the TEM high voltage could not be applied. A service call was placed immediately after the TEM was down. FEI engineer arrived at noon and started trouble shooting. No success was achieved today. He will continue working on it on Monday.
//TEM was down yesterday. Mingje and I did trouble shooting on the phone, but could solve the problem. Today I checked more components. One board may be damaged. An on-site service request was placed on the phone. Waiting for service engineer to call me back.
//An ion mill problem was reported yesterday. This problem was found to be associated with the low gun which was used heavily recently. I have contacted the vendor and received a quote today. A service request has been submitted today. Waiting for approval now. The instument could be down for two weeks or longer because of PO and gun service.
//It was reported that the double tilt specimen holder did not work. I found that the cable was damaged by our user. User should hold the metal part to disconnect the cable from the holder. User should never pull the cable to disconnect it. We will try to fix the cable, or order a new cable.
The condenser aperture is adjusted. It works well now.
TEM EDS is conditioned and calibrated. It work well now. I may want to condition it again in near future. Please check the comments in the instrument status.
Thanks
//XL-30 SEM was shut down on Wed. It is fixed today. Please keep the room door closed, otherwsie, the room temperature could be too high for the instrument.
//FEI Quanta 3D ion source was depleted on last Friday. FEI engineer will be on campus to install a new source and do all necessary alignment. All reservations on Monday will be cancelled. Please reschedule your sessions. Thanks