Leica microscope in a dark room

Equipment

The Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Laboratory (MMRL) is a research unit at the College of Science and Mathematics at Montclair State University. The MMRL is University wide resource and facility. Access to the MMRL and its microscopes is open to all potential University users who have a need for the facilities in their research and classes, as well as external public and private sector clients.

The MMRL is located on the first floor of the Center for Environmental and Life Sciences, which is across from Mallory Hall and Richardson Hall. Currently, the MMRL houses transmission electron, scanning electron and atomic force microscopes. The microscopes available for use include:

In addition, the following items are also available for MMRL Users:

Hitachi H-7500 TEM

The Hitachi H-7500 tungsten/LaB6 TEM is an instrument suitable for high magnification examination of biological tissues and soft materials. It is fitted with Bruker thin-window energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) detector which is capable of detecting elements ranging from boron upwards. A slow scan AMT CCD camera with pixel resolution 1024 x1024 is fitted side mount to the column.

The status of the electron microscope is displayed graphically on TEM computer, which allows the user to call out window for setting parameters to suit their needs.

Microscope Ability

  • Resolution: Point-to-point resolution 0.23nm
  • Accelerating voltage: 20 kV – 120 kV

Magnifications:

ZOOM
  • HC mode
    • × 700 to × 200,000 (30 steps)
  • HR mode
    • × 4,000 to × 600,000 (20 steps)
  • Low MAG
    • × 50 to 1,000 (10 steps)
  • Specimen stage: Maximum specimen tilt 20°
  • PGT Prism 2000 Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (C-U)
    • Spectral point acquisition
    • X-ray line scans
    • X-ray Mapping
  • AMT side mount Slow Scan CCD (1024 x 1024)
    • Wide field-of-view for image interpretation
    • Real time background correction

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Hitachi S-3400N SEM

The Hitachi S-3400N is a Variable Pressure SEM (VP-SEM) offering advances in automatic l filament saturation and “no touch” objective aperture alignment. High take off angle ports were built to the analytical chamber for detectors such as EDS. A Quad-type semiconductor BSE detector is mounted at the bottom of the objective porepiece, allowing compositional and high resolution imaging at a high or low vacuum mode.

Microscope Ability

  • Resolution
    • Secondary electron image (SEI)
      • 3.0 nm resolution in high vacuum mode at 30 kV
      • 10 nm resolution in high vacuum mode at 3 kV
    • Backscattered electron image (BSI)
      • 4.0 nm resolution in low vacuum mode at 30 kV
  • Electron source: Pre-centered cartridge type tungsten hairpin filament
  • Accelerating voltage: 0.3kV to 30 kV
  • Unique VP-mode of operation
    • The VP-mode allows microscopy can operate analysis at pressure settings ranging from 6 Pa through 270 Pa in the sample chamber. Wet, oily and non-conductive samples in their natural state without charge-up and without the need of conventional sample preparation.
  • Bruker –AXS Xflash X-Ray Detector A silicon drift detector (SDD)
    • Processing of up to 1,000,000 signals per
    • Maintenance-free and vibration free detector and
    • No need for liquid nitrogen
    • Qualitative and Quantitative elemental analysis
    • X-ray line scans
    • X-ray Mapping
    • Quad-Type semiconductor backscattered electron detector providing information of composition and topography of sample surface. Useable at both high and low vacuum mode.

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Bruker Dimension ICON® SPM

Bruker Dimension ICON® Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) brings the highest levels of performance, functionality, and AFM accessibility to nanoscale research. It is equipped with ScanAsyst® automatic image optimization technology based on PeakForce Tapping mode, which performs a very fast force curve at every pixel in the image. This technology allows users to obtain consistent high-quality results faster and easier. The Bruker ICON SPM system is capable of many Imaging Modes and Capabilities.

Imaging Modes and Capabilities

ScanAsyst
automatic image optimization mode
Contact Mode AFM
Tapping Mode AFM
PeakForce Tapping
Electric and magnetic measurement
Mechanical properties analysis
Piezo Response (PFM)
an electrical AFM technique for imaging the response of a piezoelectric material
AFM in Fluid
Conductive AFM (C-AFM)
a current measuring technique for mapping variations in electrical conductivity of materials.
Force Modulation
a technique for imaging local sample stiffness and elasticity by oscillating a cantilever with the probe tip in constant contact with the sample
Electrochemical (EC) Contact Mode
enables in-situ real-time imaging of the electrode surface under electrochemical control
PeakForce
QNM
nanoscale quantitative nanomechanical mapping including modulus, adhesion, and topography
PeakForce TUNA
quantitatively characterize nanoscale materials. It simultaneously maps sample conductivity, nanomechanical properties, and sample topography at high resolution
Sample Heating
temperature-gradient (20°C to 200°C) studies with greatest precision

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Nikon C2 Plus Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM)

The Nikon C2 Plus is a point scanning confocal microscope with four channels: 405, 488, 561 and 640nm excitation. It is equipped with four solid state laser lines (405, 488, 561 and 640 nm) and is able to take images of up to 2048 x 2048 µm pixels resolution. It provides an “X-cite” 120 LED system for fluorescence and filters for widefield using DAPI, GFP, and Tex Red filters. The objectives for the Ti system are 10x, 20x, 40x, 20x oil, 40x oil, 60x oil, and 100 x oil, all with DIC capabilities. Detectors include three standard Photo-multiplier Tubes (PMTs), pco.edge 4.2 scientific CMOS camera, and a transmitted detector. The scan head is attached to a fully automated Nikon Ti microscope and entirely controlled by the NIS-Elements C software. Extended life experiments are facilitated by a Nikon Perfect Focus System that continuously determines the distance to the coverslip.

Microscope Ability

  • High efficiency galvano scanner operating at rates of up to 100 fps
  • Enable simultaneous acquisition of three fluorescent channels
  • Enable high-speed acquisition of four spectral profile sequentially
  • Fully controlled by NIS-Elements C imaging software
  • simultaneous three channels imaging
  • Sequential imaging up to five channels
  • High resolution epi-fluorescence imaging up to
    2048 x 2048 pixel y using CMOS camera

Objectives

  • Nikon Plan Apo 10x NA 0.45
  • Nikon Plan Apo 20x NA 0.75
  • Nikon Plan Fluor 40x NA 0.75
  • Nikon Plan Fluor 20X  NA 0.75, Oil immersion
  • Nikon S Fluro 40x NA 1.30, Oil immersion
  • Nikon Apo λ (Lambda) 60x NA 1.40, Oil immersion
  • Nikon Plan Apo 100x NA 1.45, Oil immersion
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Denton Desk IV TSC Cold Sputter/Etch and Carbon Rod Accessory

This tool is used to sputter a conductive film (gold or gold/palladium) on samples for SEM analysis and to provide some limited surface clearing in some models. The mounting of a turbo molecular pump to the system enables it to quickly pump the chamber to a high vacuum level. Six main operations are available for the system: vacuum, etch, rotating, sputter, time etch and time sputter.

Features

  • pc part: >= 5 mm
  • Wafers or SEM stub: 50 mm to 100 mm round

Specifications/Capabilities:

  • Chamber: 6″ OD x 6″ H Cylindrical metal chamber
  • Au or Au/Pd target
  • Argon gas
  • Etch mode for cleaning of samples prior metal deposition
  • Manual or automatic timed sputter/etch
  • Carbon evaporation

Typical Applications:

  • Coating a thin layer of metal or carbon film to remove SEM charge effects from non-conductive samples
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Denton DV-502A High Vacuum Evaporator

DV-502A is a high vacuum evaporator for fine carbon (for X-ray microanalysis) or metal evaporation of scanning and transmission electron microscopy samples. Using Denton’s economical diffusion pump design, it can rapidly and repeatedly cycle from atmosphere to high vacuum.

Carbon coatings can be evaporated onto grids as a support layer or as an additional stabilizing agent for polymer coated grids. Grids that will be used for imaging isolated macromolecules (such as proteins) can be glow discharged to decrease their hydrophobicity.

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Denton Vacuum DCP-1 Critical Point Dryer

The Denton critical point drying apparatus is mounted on a sturdy stand with a weighted base which sits conveniently on the laboratory bench. It is being used to critical point of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) to dry biological material with a graded series of ethanol. The chamber is 1-1/8” dia. × 2-5/8” high and will hold a large number of grids or a half dozen SEM stubs. A removable stainless steel wire basket 1” dia. × 2-1/2” long is also supplied.

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Leica 2030 rotary paraffin microtome

Reichert/Leica 2030 Microtome is designed for most routine histology and biology needs.  High precision and stability ensures reproducible section quality in wax and plastic embedded sections. It has a smooth handwheel movement that allows controllable sectioning speed with zero backlash. Vertical roller veering sideway prevents any deviation of specimen cylinder during sectioning. A section counter and the automatic specimen feed is 1 to 60 um. Three Reichert microtomes are available in our EM facilities.

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Leica Reichert Ultratrim

Leica Reichert ultratrim is an EM specimen trimmer built-in high speed milling device. The ultratrim consists of stereo microscope with 20x total magnification, illuminator 20W reflector halogen light, specimen carrier and trimming tool. Trimming is carried out during observation of the specimen with the microscope, using a special milling tool which is moved past the specimen. The specimen can be centered ± 2 mm and rotated about 90°C click stop mechanism for milling the pyramid faces. The selected detail remains in the center of the field during each operation.

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Leica EM UC7 Ultramicrotome

The Leica EM UC7 offers advanced ultramicrotome technology and features a touch screen control panel. It provides easy preparation of semi- and ultrathin sections as well as perfect, smooth surfaces of biological and industrial samples for TEM, SEM, AFM and LM examination. Three independent, built-in, brightness-controlled LED light sources and the additional LED spotlights provide outstanding illumination. The innovative touch-sensitive control unit of the Leica EM UC7 enables fast and safe alignment of knife and specimen with help files and prompts to hand for beginners. Programmable knife and cutting movements make trimming easy.

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Tissue-TeK VIP Tissue Processor

EM tissue processor provides a compact system for automatically processing biological specimens for high resolution light microscope examination.

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Thermo Scientific HistoStar Embedding Workstation

Thermo Scientific HistoStar Embedding Workstation consists basically of a control panel, paraffin storage reservoir and dispenser, embedding module with hot and cold spots for orientation, warm tissue storage drawer, mold storage, cold plate, and a waste drawer for collecting excess paraffin from the working platform. The HistoStar embedding workstation is the only workstation with a heated wax trimmer built directly into the workspace. It is the well-illuminated, ergonomic, efficient workstation.

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