Equipment Type:

Thin Film Fabrication

Instrument Capabilities

The EMS Sputter Coater is a sample-preparation instrument used to apply a thin, uniform conductive metal coating to specimens prior to SEM analysis. The coating helps reduce surface charging and improves image quality, contrast, and visualization of fine surface details. The system should only be used for preparing samples intended for subsequent imaging in the Electron Microscopy Facility at TMI.

Key Features

• The system is currently equipped with a platinum (Pt) target.
• Deposition time must be limited to a maximum of 1.5 minutes.
• A 1-minute deposition produces an approximately 5 nm-thick platinum film.

Fees and Policies

• UT Users: $10/15 mins
• Higher Education/State Agencies: $29.25/15 mins
• Corporate/External Users: $29.25/15 mins

Training

Training on the sputter coater is offered as part of the electron microscopy training classes.