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Reduction of polymer growth in electron microscopes by use of a fluorocarbon oxide pump fluid
Author(s) -
Ambrose B. K.,
Holland L.,
Laurenson L.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of microscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.569
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1365-2818
pISSN - 0022-2720
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1972.tb01070.x
Subject(s) - fluorocarbon , oxide , hydrocarbon , transmission electron microscopy , lubricant , chemistry , polymer , materials science , chemical engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering
SUMMARY A commonly experienced contamination problem in electron microscopes is the growth of electron induced polymer films on the electrodes and specimens in instruments evacuated by oil pumps. Hydrocarbon fluids are generally used in the vacuum pumps and experiments have been made to reduce the contamination rate in a transmission instrument (AEI 802) by using fractional distillates of a new fluorocarbon oxide compound. The rotary pump was replaced by one charged with a fluorocarbon oxide lubricant and the fluid charge in the diffusion pump replaced by a fluorocarbon oxide evaporant. Both specimen and electrode contamination were greatly reduced by the use of the new fluid. Electron micrographs of a gold film are shown comparing contamination levels produced in organic and fluorocarbon oxide atmospheres after prolonged exposure to the electron beam.