Instruments by Science Group
Macromolecular
Soft Condensed 
Imaging and
Biological
Magnetic
Structures and
Crystallography 
Spectroscopy I14 Contact
I14 Control room:
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 778570
Principal Beamline Scientist:
Majid Kazemian
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 1235 778222
Science Group Leader
Julia Parker
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1235 778924
I14 Hard X-ray Nanoprobe
Status: Operational
Beamsize: 50nm x 50nm
Energy: 5 - 20 keV
Energy: 5 - 20 keV
Sample Preparation
Sample preparation is key to the success of a nanoprobe experiment. We suggest you discuss the sample preparation and mounting with your local contact before your experiment. Below are some details of our usual sample holders to give an idea of the size and shape of the samples we can handle. Larger or more complex samples are possible but will require considerable input from your local contact.
Silicon Nitride or Silicon Membranes
I14 sample holders are designed to take standard silicon nitride membranes in the following sizes
5 x 5 mm Frame with 3 mm window
Typical window thickness ranges from 200nm - 1um with the thicker windows being slightly more robust.
The beamline can supply standard membranes for testing on request. A variety of silicon nitride membrane options are available from commercial suppliers with designs and options to suit different applications.
Please contact the beamline team to discuss any specific requirements before your experiment and sample preparation.
Silicon Nitride Membrane suppliers
Kapton MicroMounts
Powder samples can be mounted on kapton MicroMounts or MicroLoops which can be purchased from MiTeGen.
The standard MicroLoops used at the beamline have aperature size of 50 μm and pin length of 25 mm (product code M5-L25-50).
TEM grids
I14 sample holders are designed to take 3mm TEM grids.
Both full and half (e.g. omniprobe) grids can be mounted.
The thickness of the grids varies and ring spacers are available at the beamline to aid mounting if required.
For XRF mapping consideration should be given to the grid material. While copper is the most common grid material, nickel, gold or aluminium are also avaiable which may be more beneficial depending on how your sample is mounted on the grid and the elements of interest to you.
TEM grid suppliers:
www.agarscientific.com/tem/grids-agar.html
https://www.tedpella.com/grids_html/grids.aspx
Tomography dowel pins
Samples for tomography can be prepared using dowel pins or insect pins. Samples are glued on top of the stainless steel pin and cut down to desired size (< 20 μm) by FIB-SEM. Insect Pins can be purchased from Agar Scientific. Dowel pins can be purchased from Accu. The tomography holder can accomodate 1 mm in diameter and 8 mm in length pins.
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Diamond House
Harwell Science & Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0DE
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