In order to prepare thin sections for transmission electron microscopy, many samples are thinned to electron transparency with an ion beam thinning system. We have several different models depending on your specific sample preparation needs.

Our current range of ion beam thinning tools can be found in our EPIC Facility.

Mechanical polishing systems are critical for metallographic sample preparation and are often employed in preparation of samples for electron microscopy. We have a full range of grinding and polishing tools, including autopolishers, along with expert technical staff to help prepare your samples.

Our current range of mechanical polishing tools can be found in our EPIC Facility.

We provide plasma cleaning tools that can be used for sample cleaning (removal of hydrocarbons) or increasing the wettability of a substrate for sample preparation.

Our current range of plasma cleaning tools can be found in our EPIC, ANTEC and NUFAB Facilities.

Metallic samples can benefit from the relatively gentle (i.e. free of mechanical stress) method of electropolishing for sample thinning for TEM or preparation of tips for LEAP.

Our current range of electropolishing tools can be found in our EPIC Facility.

Our facilities house an impressive array of cryogenic sample preparation tools in order to preserve fragile structures from water-containing samples. These include high-pressure and plunge freezing systems, freeze-fracture, cryo-metal coating and cryo-ion milling. They are fully compatible with cryo-transfer to our cryo-TEM and cryo-SEM instruments.

Our current range of cryogenic sample preparation tools can be found in our BioCryo Facility.

For biological or other water-containing samples, an alternative route to cryogenic preparation is lyophilization. We have critical point drying, freeze drying and freeze substitution methods available, depending your needs.

Our current range of cryogenic sample preparation tools can be found in our BioCryo and ANTEC Facilities.