Sample Requirements

• Samples must be vacuum compatible and stable under electron bombardment.

The operating vacuum is approximately 10^-5Pa

• For quantitative analysis the specimens must be flat, well polished and as free from surface voids as possible.

  Final polishing should use 0.25 micron abrasive
  Samples with porosity should be vacuum-impregnated with resin to fill void space

• Samples must be cohesive, so as not to shed particles whilst in the SX100
• Samples must be in a format compatible with the SX100 sample holders. Permitted formats are:

Thin sections: 45-48mm long, up to 25mm wide, 1mm thick with up to 0.5mm thick polished sample above the glass slide
Disks: 25.5mm or 29.5mm diameter, thickness 5-30mm
It may be possible to accommodate other formats - please discuss details with Chris Hayward
Lakeside, Canada Balsam and styrene-based resins must not be used for preparation.

• Insulating samples need to be coated prior to analysis with a thin film of carbon. This is done at Edinburgh.

Samples should arrive at the laboratory 2 days before the EPMA session for coating
Samples must be cleaned after polishing to remove abrasive particles and lubricants. This can be done at Edinburgh if necessary.
Other coating materials such as gold can be used if required, but please discuss this as far in advance of making a booking as possible.

Facilities exist at Edinburgh for users to prepare certain types of sample prior to EPMA analysis - please contact Chris Hayward to information.

Please discuss any queries related to sample preparation or format with Chris Hayward well in advance of your scheduled EPMA booking