Gatan 691 Precision Ion Polishing System

Location: Jesser Hall room 131

The Gatan 691 PIPS system is used as the final preparation step for many types of TEM samples. 3 mm disks cut from bulk materials or from embedded cross sections are thinned to less than 50 micron before argon ion milling in the FIB.

PIPS Technique Summary:
 

•    Up to 6 kV argon ion energy
•    Rotating sample to provide uniform milling
•    Two ion guns for milling from top and from bottom
•    Adjustable beam tilt angles from 2 to 10 degrees incident angle
•    Ion milling at specific segments during sample rotation for directional ion milling and to protect the sample holder
•    Suited for conductive and non-conductive samples

PIPS Features:
 

•    Cryo attachment with liquid nitrogen for sample cooling
•    Auto termination option when electron tranparency is reached
•    Optical microscope with digital camera to monitor ion milling progress

Operating manuals and additional information may be found in the Sample Preparation folder on UVa's Sharepoint.

UVA RATES:

Gatan 691 Ion Mill Instrument Usage: $17/hr

Gatan 691 Ion Mill Operator Costs:  $60/hr

EDUCATIONAL, GOVERNMENT & NON-PROFIT INSTITUTIONS RATES (cost = operator + instrument):

Gatan 691 Ion Mill Instrument Usage: $22/hr

Gatan 691 Ion Mill Operator Costs:  $70/hr

INDUSTRIAL PARTNER RATES:

Gatan 691 Ion Mill Instrument Usage: $30/hr

Gatan 691 Ion Mill Operator Costs:  $125/hr