• FIB-SEM DualBeam microscope
• High resolution scanning electron microscopy with focus ion beam

Scanning electron microscope with focused ion beam milling equipped for cryo-imaging and correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM)

Applications

• 3D scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM)
• high resolution scanning electron microscopy (embedded, dried or frozen samples)
• elemental analysis (EDS)

Specifications

• precise coating of samples foe subsequent examination with an electron microscope
• glow discharge
• freeze fracture cryo set

Application

• Metal coating of sample to cerate a conductive layer which inhibits charging, reduces thermal demage and improves the secondary electron signal in the SEM
• Making the carbon layers to be transparent to the electron beam but conductive (needed for X-ray microanalysis), to support films on grids
• Glow discharge to render grids surface hydrophilic
• Freeze-Fracture of frozen samples

Main components

The Leica EM ACE600 includes the following main functional units:

• High vacuum chamber
• Rotation sample stage, 24 positions for 12,7 mm SEM stubs
• Quartz thickness measurement
• Carbon thread source or sputter source (platinum and gold targets)
• Freeze-Fracture cryo set includes vacuum cyro transfer Leica EM VCT100 and cryo stage

• drying of samples with CO2 in critical point for SEM

Automated Critical Point Dryer

Application

• The drying of biological specimens such as pollen, tissue, plants, insects for SEM analysis
• The drying of industrial samples , for example MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems)

Method

Crytical point drying is a method which use of CO2 as transitional fluid because its critical point is at 31 °C and 73,8 bar. Technically these temperature and pressure requirements of the CO2 can be implemented relatively easily then for water (critical point is 374 °C and 228,5 bar). The water in the cell is replaced by an acetone which is very soluble with liquid CO2. This procedure is follow by substitution with liquid CO2 through serial dilution steps. The increasing the temperature and pressure will transfer the CO2 through its critical point into a subcritical state. By controlled depressurization and constant temperature is subcritical CO2 convert into its gaseous phase without crossing the phase boundary between liquid and gas. This technique of preparing sample for scanning electron microscope is more gentle and better preserve structure than air drying sample.

• An automatic reagent handling system for AFS2

Automatic freeze substitution (AFS) connects cryo-fixation (e. g. high pressure freezing) and resin embedding. It is a process of dehydration in low temperatures without crystal formation. In the beginning of freeze substitution, amorphic water contained in sample is dissolved by an organic solvent (e.g. acetone, ethanol), which also includes chemical fixatives. After dehydration temperature rises to point where is resin embedding possible. Freeze substitution processor (FSP) is an automatic reagent handling system combined with the Leica EM AFS2, dispenses reagents for freeze substitution. It also provides UV lamp for photopolymerization of acrylic resins.

Application

Cryo-substitution and resin embedding

• Cryo-substitution for samples frozen in HPM100

Automatic freeze substitution (AFS) connects cryo-fixation (e. g. high pressure freezing) and resin embedding. It is a process of dehydration in low temperatures without crystal formation. In the beginning of freeze substitution, amorphic water contained in sample is dissolved by an organic solvent (e.g. acetone, ethanol), which also includes chemical fixatives. After dehydration temperature rises to point where is resin embedding possible. Freeze substitution processor (FSP) is an automatic reagent handling system combined with the Leica EM AFS2, dispenses reagents for freeze substitution. It also provides UV lamp for photopolymerization of acrylic resins.

Application

Cryo-substitution and resin embedding

• sample preparation for EM

Microwave Processor containing Pelco ColdSpot®Pro cooling system

Application

Sample preparations for EM (fixation, contrastation, dehydratation, embedding, polymerisation)

• EM UC7 Basic Instrument with eucentric 180° swivelling microscope carrier
• Built in anti-vibration system
• Cutting window adjustment from 0.2-15 mm
• Knife block 360° rotatable, dual sided self locking precision drive with ±30° graduation, clearance angle drive with 1° scale from -2° to over 15°
• Knife holder for 6-12mm glass and diamond knives
• 360° rotation of specimen with self locking drive

Specification

• Eucentric movement of the stereo microscope carrier (+ 5° / – 8°) with patented designated positions for specimen approach, for glass and diamond knives
• Multi-LED-illumination for standard illumination, back light illumination, specimen
  transillumination and spot light illumination
• Dual automatic advance system with stepping motor for 200μm specimen advance, stepping motor for 10mm knife N-S movement
• Stepping motor for 25mm E-W movement
• Reflexomat II -peristaltic water pump; water spout in magnetic holder
• Syringe, special tubing for Reflexomat II
• Segment arc with specimen transillumination, self locking precision drives with ±22° eucentric movement, transferable stem for longitudinal and cross sectioning