DOR_STEM.pdf

Description of Requirement (Scanning) Transmission Electron Microscope

SPECIFICATIONS:

The Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Lab (GSL) requires a (Scanning) Transmission Electron Microscope with the following features/capabilities:

The core (S)TEM instrument must meet the following minimum specifications:

Electron emitter source

• 200kV FEG STEM/TEM with flexible high tension (20, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 kV)

• Electron emitter should be of a Schottky high brightness long stability type and should have brightness of 1.8x109 A/cm2sr at 200kV

• Probe current should be >2nA/1nm probe with maximum beam current >50nA available at 200kV

• The microscope should have a fixed pole piece with a gap of at least 5mm that is used to satisfy all of the resolution requirements as well as the tilt specifications

STEM

• System should have a scanning transmission attachment (STEM unit, BF and HAADF detectors) with resolution of HAADF 0.16nm or better, 3-fold condenser astigmatism correction should be available

• At least 12 parallel imaging channels should be available to acquire 12 or more images at the same time from different STEM detectors

• Drift Corrected Image Integration (DCFI) option should be available as part of the standard microscope user interface

• At least one of the DF STEM detectors should have 8 segments with capability to read each segment individually.

• The STEM acquisition software should be written by the column manufacturer, not an accessory supplier.

TEM

• Information limit should be ≤ 0.12nm

• Camera should be manufactured and supported by the column manufacturer.

• Camera should have ≥ 16M pixels

• Camera speed should be 25fps at 512x512pixels frame. Camera dynamic range should be 16 bit

• Camera should be usable at 20-200kV HT range

• Camera should be retractable

Goniometer

• Minimum specimen tilt angle (α/β) ±30 deg./± 30 deg with a double tilt holder

• Microscope should have a fully eucentric goniometer with all 5 axis motorized TEM stage should be stable with drift 0.5nm/min or better

• Goniometer maximum tilt should be +/-90 degrees, tilt speed from -90 degrees to +90 degrees should be less than 5 seconds.

• X movement range – 2mm in total or more Y movement range – 2mm in total or more

• Z movement range – 0.75mm in total or more

• Maximum tilt for tomography application should be achieved with a standard 3.0 mm grid.

• STEM Tomography option should be automated with dynamic focusing capability

Vacuum

• Microscope should have a completely oil free vacuum system.

• FEG gun vacuum should be < 10-7Pa

• TEM column vacuum should be <10-6Pa

• The column should have a differential pumping aperture not exceeding 200 micron between the camera chamber and the column to keep the vacuum clean in the column.

Diffraction

• Minimum spot size (in Nano-Diffraction mode) should be 0.3nm or smaller Camera length range (Selected area diffraction) 14 - 5700 mm

• Maximum convergence angle should be >100mrad or more

• Maximum diffraction acceptance angle should be 26 degree or more

EDX system

• EDX system should have more than 4 detector crystals placed symmetrically around the sample rod axis. EDX solid angle should be 0.9sr or more

• EDX detector should be windowless to increase the sensitivity for light elements EDX resolution should be at least 136eV at 10,000 spectra/s or better

• EDX speed for output count rate should be 1,000,000 cps or better

• EDX mapping speed should have pixel dwell time 10 micro-seconds or better

• Anti-contamination device (LN2) should be provided with the time without refill for 4 days or longer EDX should have a Fiori number >4000

• EDX 3D tomography operation should have an option to be AUTOMATED and UNATTENDED during the series acquisition

• Tomography series tilt range should be +/- 75 degrees

• EDS tomography acquisition software should be written by the column manufacturer, and include the ability to do on the fly absorption correction and holder shadowing for accurate quantification.

Operation:

• Microscope should be operated remotely to minimize the interference from operator and maximize operator efficiency;

• Microscope should have the option for AUTOMATED update on the operation status and history sent to the user regularly with the chosen frequency in a range from minute – to day or week

• Microscope should have an enclosure to protect hardware from environment, and reduce system sensitivity to drafts.

Software:

• All software used to operate the instrument, acquire and process the data should be based on 64-bit platform such as Win 10 or compatible.

• The image and spectrum acquisition software should be written by the microscope column manufacturer, not a third-party accessory manufacturer.

Additional items must include (at a minimum):

• Workstation with 24’’ LCD Monitor

• 115 V, 50/60 Hz Compressor:

o Silent, automatic compressor with start relay and capacitor, thermal protection and intake filter. Provides clean, oil-free and water-free compressed air at 6 Bar (max. 37 Liter/minute), with a noise level of 40 dB(A) at one meter.

o Direct-drive 0.34 kW motor mounted on a 25-liter reservoir. Complete with manometer, control valve, pressure switch, air admittance valve and safety valve.

o Dimensions 375 x 375 x 540 mm (l x w x h) o Weight 30.5 kg o Power consumption 0.34 kW

• Cooling Unit (Water):

o Cooling capacity: 3.9 kW (at 20 °C supply water temp) o Temperature stability: ±0.05 °C o Mains supply: 208-230 V- 1 Phase - 60 Hz : 230 V - 1 phase - 50 Hz o Water pump capacity: 13.6 l/min at 4 bar o Refrigerant: R407C o Dimensions (WxDxH): 15 x 30 x 27 (inch) or 39 x 77 x 69 (cm) o Manufacturer and model: Haskris, Water-cooling unit, LX2-W5-7XXXXX-4-M144

• Mains Matching Transformer for TEM : 190 - 440 volt, 50 - 60 Hz

• Single-tilt Holder

• High-visibility Low-background Double-tilt Holder

• Tomography Software should include (mimimum):

o TEM Tomography Data Acquisition o STEM Tomography Data Acquisition o EDX Tomography Data Acquisition o A user-friendly solution for alignment of a tomographic series of images, 3D reconstruction of the data, as well as basic visualization functionality.

• Must include visualization and analysis software for advanced visualization and analysis of reconstructed tomography data, acquired using electron and correlative microscopy systems.

• Manufacturer must have a proven history (minimum of 5-yrs) of (S)TEM development, installation and support, to include 24/7 customer support/operation centers.

Quote shall include shipping, installation and warranty, software licensing (12 months) and training required to ensure the equipment is fully functional.

DELIVERY DATE:

Equipment shall be delivered and installed no later than 6 months after award. Training and installation shall be provided within 60 days after delivery.

DELIVERY LOCATION:

Attn: Oliver-Denzil S. Taylor Engineer Research and Development Center Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory 3909 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg MS, 39180