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Coolstage - Peltier-driven SEM Cooling Stage

A user note for Peltier-driven SEM cooling stages used with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low vacuum (LV) or variable pressure (VP) applications.

Quick Overview

The Coolstage is a Peltier-driven SEM cooling stage for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low vacuum (LV) or variable pressure (VP) applications. The stage can be cooled to sub-zero temperatures for specimens that may be sensitive at ambient temperature, subject to beam damage, or may otherwise 'sublime' (lose water) at ambient temperatures.

There are three versions of coolstage - Standard, Enhanced and Ultra - to cover differing specimen requirements.

NB: For a full low temperature cryo preparation system for SEM (including rapid freezing, vacuum transfer, cold fracturing, sublimation and sputtering) please see the PP3000T.

?Key features

Standard Coolstage

  • Temperature range -30°C to 50°C at 300Pa
  • Self contained cooling - no additional external cooling water needed
  • Temperature accuracy /- 1.5°C or 2% - whichever is greater
  • Minimal image drift
  • Cooling and heating rates of up to 30°C per minute
  • Keypad control - with simultaneous display of actual and target temperature
  • Supplied with SEM chamber port feed-though - specify when ordering
  • One-year warranty

Enhanced Coolstage

  • Temperature range -30°C to 160°C at 300Pa
  • All other specifications as per Standard Coolstage

Ultra Coolstage

  • Temperature range -50°C to 50°C at 300Pa
  • All other specifications as per Standard Coolstage

Product Description

The Coolstage is a temperature-controlled specimen stage that can be fitted to any low vacuum (LV) or variable pressure (VP) scanning electron microscope (SEM).

The Standard Coolstage consists of a single stage Peltier device, onto which a thermally isolated specimen holder and dual temperature sensor is mounted. The Coolstage assembly is mounted onto the SEM stage using an adaptor plate specific to the microscope. Cooling pipes and electrical wires connect to the SEM feedthrough flange. External components are a recirculating water chiller and power supply case, and a compact keypad for digital temperature readout and control.

Compact, efficient cooling and temperature control

The temperature range of the Standard Coolstage is -30°C to 50°C at 300Pa. The specimen holder is water-cooled using a small, self-contained closed loop recirculating chiller that is normally positioned approx 2m from the SEM. A microprocessor controls and monitors the temperature of the cold stage. A small keypad is used to set the required temperature and display target and current temperatures.

The specimen holder has been designed to minimise image drift due to temperature change, giving a stable image at high magnification. An integrated RS-232 interface allows temperature to be set and read from the SEM.

Rapid specimen exchange

To exchange a specimen it is necessary to increase the specimen stage temperature to ensure that condensation does not form on the specimen or specimen stage. The keypad controller has a convenient 'exchange' button that will automatically take the specimen holder temperature to a programmable temperature from between 5°C to 20°C. Typical cooling and heating rates are up to 30°C per minute.

When not in use, the major parts of the system can be left in situ and the cooling stage is very easily removed when reverting to 'normal' use. A convenient storage block is provided for Coolstage stage assembly and vacuum feedthrough for when the system is not in use.

Why cool?

Low vacuum (LV) or variable pressure (VP) modes are now standard on most scanning electron microscopes (SEMs). For this reason it has become important to control water evaporation from wet specimens. Cooling such specimens reduces the loss of water by evaporation, or - depending on chamber pressure - can prevent it altogether.

Saturated vapour pressure of water decreases considerably with temperature. At room temperature, water will very quickly evaporate - causing considerable damage to specimen composition and ultra-structure. This is due to high forces of surface tension at the drying front as it passing though the specimen. In most biological systems this will result in distortion and collapse of membranes and other structures.

At 300Pa, the specimen temperature needs to be less than -9.5°C, and at 85Pa less than -25°C to stop water evaporation. Therefore, by cooling a specimen to -25°C, chamber pressures up to 85Pa can be used with little or no water loss by evaporation. In this way, changes in specimen structure can be minimised. In addition, being able to operate at higher vacuum gives a better signal-to-noise ratio and clearer images.

Coolstage and vacuum feed through connected to the storage block (stage protected by plastic shutter) Coolstage and vacuum feed through connected to the storage block (with protection shutter open) Standard Coolstage. Range: -30°C to 50°C at 300Pa Ultra Coolstage. Range: -50°C to 50°C at 300Pa Dish-style specimen stub, showing flat bottom side (left) and dish side (right) Specimen stubs for Coolstage

Additional information

Specifications
Specimen size 10mm Ø (adaptor stub for 12" Hitachi stubs can be supplied on request)
Stage temperature range

NB: Higher vacuum will allow for cooler temperatures, compatible with high vacuum levels to 1x10-5Pa

Standard Coolstage: -30°C to 50°C at 300Pa with no external cooling water from SEM (at ambient 20°C)

Enhanced Coolstage: 30°C to 160°C at 300Pa with no external cooling water from SEM (at ambient 20°C)

Ultra Coolstage: -50°C to 50°C at 300Pa with no external cooling water from SEM (at ambient 20°C)

Temperature display resolution 0.1°C
Temperature stability /- 0.2°C
Temperature accuracy /- 1.5°C or 2% (whichever is greater)
Stage movement Normal x, y and z movements maintained. Tilt maintained for X-ray analysis (up to 45°). No rotation
Working distance As on SEM, Coolstage is set to the SEM Eucentric height
Operating voltage 100V or 115V or 230V @ 100VA, voltage tolerance /- 10%
Size and weight Operation/display unit: 90mm L x 112mm W x 35mm H, 300g
Power supply/cooling unit: 305mm L x 245mm W x 330mm H, 15kg
Supplied with Operating manual, one set of interconnecting cables and mains supply lead, storage block for specimen cooling unit when not in use, specimen holders: 15 x flat 10mm Ø stubs and 15 x dish 10mm Ø OD stubs

Additional specimen stubs

  • K120-SF - Flat specimen stubs, 10mm diameter (pack of 10)
  • K120-SD - Dish style specimen stubs, 10mm external diameter (pack of 10)
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