MUST-FOLLOW list at beamline

When you want to insert a sample from a load-lock

Check that the pressure is at lower than 3e-06 mbar.
Be sure that the transfer rod is fully retracted.
After grabbing the sample with the transfer rod retract fully.
Now you can safely close the load-lock.
Do not tight the screw valve with force otherwise it would be difficult to slide in/out the sample. Use finger force only! Observe while closing the pressure in the preparation chamber, if you see it dropping you are good.

Danger! Turn off the high voltage in the rack when changing sample in main chamber (green square button)!
Make sure the beam valve is closed before transferring sample.
Center the sample manipulator (X=0, Y=0) and zero the tilt. Confirm by observing that the exposed holes on the back of the manipulator are centered around the manipulator axis.
Confirm the path is clear before transferring. Is the valve of the load-lock retracted? Is the sample manipulator in the preparation chamber out of the way? Is the valve between the preparation and main chamber open? Is the manipulator of the main chamber retracted enough so that the sample can go in (i.e in the same position as it was when you removed the sample from the manipulator)?
The standby pressure for load lock is low e-6 to low e-8 mbar, and e-10 mbar for preperation and main chamber. If the pressure can not recover, check for leakage.
Always retract the transfer rod fully to the end position after use.

Note Do not move the copper stopper of the sample manipulator from the position was set be the beamline staff.
Danger! Always check the distance between sample and objective when approaching the objective. If you are unsure stop and contact the beamline staff.

Always make sure proper aperture/slit is in position.
When planning to remove the energy slit, always set the start voltage to a high value first.

Camera must not be in collecting mode when starting scan with scangui.
During acquisition, don’t hit any part of setup which will cause vibrations and blur the image, e.g. transfer arm, concrete base of setup, etc.

Decrease the Wehnelt voltage slowly from OFF value (-360V) and observe the images. Checking the emission current and intensity counts.

In prep chamber: Filament current must be set to minimum before switching on. Decrease the filament current to minimum after use.
In main chamber: Remember to move sample at least 3 mm away from objective lens. Disable interlocks before annealing. Check valves from main chamber to prep chamber and to column chamber are closed. Eyes on pressure when annealing. Increase the temperature slowly while keeping pressure at least on the order of 10^-8 torr, even with interlock disabled.