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~$licron, 1971, 2:315-319 PRESS RELEASES AND C O M M E N T S ON N E W E Q U I P M E N T *
The aim of this section is to introduce readers of Micron to new equipment which may be of interest to them. No attempt is made to compare such equipment which must necessarily depend upon a variety of factors including the requbements of individual users. Any specifications quoted are those given by the manufacturers. For reasons of space, only a limited number of items can be included in any one issue.
A n e w s c a n n i n g e l e c t r o n m i c r o s c o p e f r o m J E O L - - t h e JSM-S1 Ever since the major SEM's became established it was apparent that there was a need for instruments which provide the essential requirements of scanning electron microscopy at reduced cost. The JSM-S1, which provides high performance at a cost only somewhat more than half that of the larger instruments, is the latest instrument offered by J E O L to fill this need. The guaranteed resolution is 250A. The magnification range is from ~< 19 to × 100,000 in standard mode and × 13 to x 10,000 in T.V. mode (high speed scan). Accelerating voltages are 4kV and 10kV. Solid state electronics are used throughout to increase high reliability and to simplify servicing. As with other SEM's, the great depth of focus makes it possible to examine thick sections and rough-surfaced specimens, and thirdly, reduces the need for making replicas. The instrument is particularly easy to use; no alignment of the column is necessary while the vacuum is automatically controlled. There is a universal goniometer stage which allows the specimen to be moved linearly, rotated through 360 ° and tilted from --5 ° to + 4 5 °. The microscope has a tidy look with the controls readily available to hand. The whole appearance is consistent with the impression that the JSM-S1 is a well designed and efficient instrument (Figure 1). For further information contact J E O L at one of their main offices as follows: J E O L (U.K.) Ltd., Jeol House, Grove Park, London, N.W.9. Telephone: 01-205 6376. J E O L (Europe) S.A., 16 Avenue de Colmar, 92 Rueil-Malmaison, Paris, France. Telephone: 967-67-00. J E O L (U.S.A.) Inc., 477 Riverside Avenue, Medford, Mass. 02155. Telephone: (617) 396-8620. A new scanning electron microscope from Cambridge Instrnments--the S t e r e o s c a n 600 Entering into the concept of compact SEM's, Cambridge Scientific Instruments, a member of the George Kent Group, have recently announced (February, 1971) the introduction of their Stereoscan 600. This is a highly versatile instrument containing many of the features only found on the large instruments at a price which is significantly below that listed for any other SEM available in the U.K. The resolution is guaranteed at 250A. The magnification range is from x 20 to × 50,000 at 10mm working distance, and × 7 to × 17,500 at 53mm working distance. Accelerating voltages are 1.5, 7.5, 15 and 25kV. The electronic circuits are entirely solid-state incorporating integrated circuits. The vacuum system is completely automatic and the electron optics are pre-aligned. The specimens are mounted on pallets which are provided in two standard sizes for scanning specimens up to 5 0 X 5 0 × 2 5 m m and 32mm (diameter)× 13ram. Alternative specimen pallets are available for 0-90 ° tilt and 360 ° rotation. The microscope is completely contained in one small console unit and can be wheeled from one laboratory to another. The Stereoscan 600 (Figure 2) is a well-finished, practically designed instrument in line with its larger namesake. * Three copies of the appropriate Press Release giving a summary of the main features of the equipment together with details of the cost, and one black and white gloss print, should be sent to Professor D. Lacy at the address given on the inside of the front cover.
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Figure 1. The JEOL JSM--S1 compact Scanning Electron Microscope.
317 For further information contact: Cambridge Scientific Instruments Limited, Chesterton Road, Cambridge CB4 3AW, England, U.K. Telephone: Cambridge (0223) 61199. Telex: 81162 A new transzn/ss|on electron microscope from a new British manufacturer-the MR-60
Early this year (January, 1971) a new British manufacturer of electron microscopes, Polaron Instruments Ltd., made their public debut into this highly competitive field by holding a press conference to announce the installation of the first of their series MR-60 microscopes. It is clear from the specifications that these microscopes have been designed and marketed with the conviction that today m a n y of the requirements for teaching and research can be met at a relatively low cost. This will have a strong appeal for those with moderate budgets, to whom the cost of the more splendid, ultra-high resolution instruments poses real difficulties. The guaranteecl resolution of the MR-60 is 15A and the magnification range is continuously variable from × 400 to x 50,000. While these two specifications seem admirable for a price about one third that of the larger instruments, the manufacturers have included certain useful additions which have only appeared on the major instruments in recent times: 6-specimen loading device with air-lock, automatic digital display of the magnification, an 8-pole stigmator, a n d - - t o add to all this--electronics in modular interchangeable units with coded test points for reliable, quick and easy servicing. One of the reasons for the comparatively low price of the MR-60 is that it uses a three lens system--the condenser lens of more traditional design being replaced by an electron gun with a long focal length. While this imposes obvious limitations on performance, the manufacturers point out that it has the advantage of reducing contamination to a barely perceptible level, a feature which could be of real value when using the instruments for teaching purposes. However, for those requiring a higher resolution (9~) and more illumination, a condenser lens can be added at extra cost whenever required. The general layout is neat and tidy, there are 3 viewing windows and the desk area is uncluttered (Figure 3, see over). For further information contact: Polaron Instruments Limited, 60/62 Greenhilt Crescent, Holywell Estate, Watford, Herts., England, U.K. Telephone: Watford 42344