Fischione 1020 Plasma Cleaner

Fischione 1020 Plasma Cleaner

The Fischione 1020 Plasma Cleaner uses an Ar/O plasma to clean TEM and SEM specimens and specimen holders.

  • A low energy reactive gas plasma cleans without changing the specimen's elemental composition or structural characteristics
  • Removes hydrocarbons from surfaces such as electron microscopy specimens and specimen holders
  • Easy to use front panel controls

These instructions are also available for download in pdf format.

Operating instructions:

  1. Open the main gas supply tank valve.
  2. Adjust the regulator knob so the gauge reads 10 psig.

    Note: failure to turn on the supply gas at the required pressure will result in damage to the plasma cleaner.

  3. Ensure the unit is plugged into the wall socket.
  4. Turn on the unit with the small on-off switch located on the back of the instrument beside the power cable connection.
  5. If a sample holder or blank is installed in the plasma cleaner chamber port and the HIGH VACUUM indicator is lit, the instrument will need to be vented prior to loading your specimen:
    1. Press the VENT button on the front panel, wait until the ATMOSPHERE indicator is lit.
    2. Gently remove the specimen holder or blank from the plasma cleaner chamber port.
  6. Load your specimens (TEM or SEM) on the appropriate holder, re-install holder in plasma cleaner chamber port.
  7. Press the PUMP button on the front panel, wait until the HIGH VACUUM indicator is lit.
  8. Enter cleaning time in minutes:seconds using the numerical buttons on the front panel.
  9. Press SET to begin plasma cleaning. The minutes:seconds display will flash for a short while as the instrument starts up. Once cleaning begins the time will count down and the purple plasma glow will be visible through the glass window on the side of the instrument tower.
  10. Once the timer hits zero, press VENT to vent the chamber to atmospheric pressure, wait until the ATMOSPHERE indicator is lit.
  11. Gently remove specimen holder.
  12. When finished cleaning, place a specimen holder or blank into the plasma cleaner chamber port, press PUMP button on the front panel.
  13. Once the HIGH VACUUM indicator is lit, turn off the instrument with the small on-off switch located on the back of the instrument beside the power cable connection. The instrument will remain at high vacuum until the next use.
  14. Turn off the main gas supply tank valve.