*Note: This page was translated by AI from the Japanese original. In case of any discrepancy, the Japanese version shall prevail.*
In TEM observation, mounting thin-foil specimens prepared by FIB (Focused Ion Beam) onto a TEM holder is one of the most nerve-wracking tasks.
If a specimen is accidentally damaged or lost during mounting on the holder, the loss goes far beyond the specimen itself:
- Remaking Cost and Time
Even if fabricated in-house, it incurs tens of thousands of yen and more than a month of waiting for machine time reservations. For samples outsourced to external vendors, fabrication costs of several hundred thousand yen and long delivery times will be wasted. - Cancelled Observation and Incurred Instrument Fees
If the specimen is damaged, observation for that day must be cancelled, yet fees for the reserved TEM instrument time will still be charged. - No Warranty for Damage or Loss
Even for expensive externally fabricated samples, our Division cannot provide any compensation or warranty for damage during sample mounting. This places immense pressure on our staff, and for highly critical specimens, we may ask users to mount them themselves.
Manual Handling Involves Risks Regardless of Eyesight or Experience
Even young researchers and students who feel confident in their eyesight or manual dexterity should never let their guard down:
- Difficulty seeing tweezer tips due to presbyopia or myopia
- Sudden hand slips or sneezes while holding a specimen
- Trembling fingers caused by the immense pressure of “I must not fail”
As long as we rely solely on human manual dexterity, it is extremely difficult to completely eliminate accidental human error.
Zero Failures After Introduction: The Manual Manipulator in Our Division
To prevent these risks and ensure that anyone can mount samples safely and reliably, our Division is equipped with a dedicated manual manipulator (Rabbitol-XYZ Fine).
- Precise Control in Microns with Fine Adjustment Knobs
XYZ dial controls allow users to approach the target position slowly and steadily without being affected by intuition or hand tremor. - Outstanding Stability Through Fixture Clamping
The specimen is firmly held even if unexpected vibrations occur during the operation, drastically reducing the risk of dropping or accidental contact. - Staff Experience
From the direct experience of our staff who previously struggled with fine handling due to presbyopia, this is a highly reliable tool: “Since introducing this manipulator, sample mounting failures have been reduced to zero.”
[Important] Pay Close Attention to Operating Procedures
While the manipulator is a very powerful tool, “incorrect operating sequences (order of moving axes, approach direction, etc.) can crush or catch and damage the specimen.”
Please keep the following points in mind:
- Do Not Practice on Actual Critical Samples First
Before handling expensive or critical samples, always practice with dummy specimens or practice grids to get a feel for the movement of each axis. - Verify Procedures Step-by-Step
Never rush. Check the direction of knob rotation against the microscope field of view and operate carefully. - Ask Staff on Your First Use
For first-time users, our staff will guide you through the correct operation procedures and key precautions to prevent damage.
Demonstration of Operation (Reference Video)
Please watch the product video below to see fine positioning in action:
Summary: Learn How to Use It Before Important Observations!
The manipulator is available for all users of our Division.
To avoid wasting precious machine time and to safely bring valuable samples into TEM observation, we strongly recommend practicing and mastering this tool beforehand. If you are interested, please feel free to contact the staff of the Division of Analytical Electron Microscopy, IMR.
* Product reference: Micro Support Co., Ltd. Rabbitol-XYZ Fine (Product specification reference link; not directly affiliated with our Division)