Preliminary Version: Please expand if necessary.
User Guide for FEI Phenom Microscope (for Outreach Efforts)
(1) Shutting down:
From the settings menu, there is an advanced button. Press that and enter the password expert
and you should be able to access a menu that includes an option for shutting down the SEM.
Once it is shut down, turn off the "power module" which is the silver box below the SEM next to
the UPS.
(2) Powering up takes at least six hours after a complete shutdown so this must be accounted for.
(3) Loading samples:
(a) Eject sample by pressing eject button. This button looks similar to that of the eject button
for CD player. When indicated by the “un-lock” LED, lift of the sample compartment
door.
(b) Take out sample puck using specialty tweezers. No gloves are necessary.
(c) Insert new sample. Height on samples should be adjusted by rotating the holder so that
the top of the sample is level with the top of the holder. Then the sample should be
lowered ~3/4 of a full turn additionally. Under no circumstances should the sample be
higher than the top of the holder.
(d) Slide the sample holder into the microscope.
(e) Close the door and the microscope will load the sample
(f) Adjust focus (eye icon) until optical image is in focus.
(g) Press the button located below the optical inset to the upper right to create an optical map
of the image.
(h) Press the icon near the upper right to put the instrument into SEM mode.
(i) Move either by pressing on the screen or on the optical inset.
(j) Focus. Autofocus can be enabled by holding the focus button, however, autofocus does
not work that well.
(k) Auto brightness and contrast should be pressed after moving to a new region.
(l) SEM images can be taken and are generally stored directly onto appended flash drives.