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(More Advanced Instructions are available as PDF files in C:\AMT Support Docs) 1. Make sure the imaging computer and camera system are turned on. 2. Make sure the imaging phosphor screen is out of the beam path. · If you can read the word “IN” on the black lever attached to the camera, the phosphor is in the path. · Phosphor screen can be retracted or placed in the beam path using the toggle switch below the camera assembly. · The phosphor screen can be damaged if the beam is too bright, so never place the screen in the beam path if the “meter” line on the “TEM BRIGHTFIELD” page indicates an exposure setting above 4 seconds. 3. Make sure the beam is aligned and centered. 4. Set the image intensity so that it is at an exposure of about 2-4 seconds on “meter” line of the “TEM BRIGHT FIELD” page of the CM12 computer screen. 5. Login to the computer using your VUnet ID and Password. 6. Click on the AMT icon on the computer desktop to open Camera Control program. 7. To switch between viewing on the microscope viewing screen and the AMT camera, · Flip the toggle switch on the bottom of the camera pneumatic system. · If camera screen is in place for ATM viewing, you will be able to read the word “IN” on the black lever attached to the camera. 8. Make sure the camera settings (right hand side of screen are as follows): · Camera Control radio button is set to [Survey ] · Quality Button (in bottom of “Click for Final Image” box is set to [Speed-Live] · Auto Gain radio button is set to [On] 9. Make sure image sharpening is [off]. · This is done by selecting Proc/Meas- Enhancement-Set Degree of Autoenhancement-No enhancement. 10. It is usually best to cover the viewing ports on the microscope with the round black cover when using the digital camera. VIEWING SECTIONS AND IMAGE CAPTURE 11. To view using the camera system, click on the “Click for Live Image” box (but not in the “Speed-Live” area. 12. VERY IMPORTANT: The camera can be damaged if too much light hits it. Thus, it is imperative that: · You make sure the beam intensity is turned down (intensity control on the microscope) before inserting the camera (the camera is more sensitive than your eye). · You reduce the intensity using the intensity control before reducing the magnification. The brightness increases when you reduce mag. · You do not let the intensity histogram (on the camera main screen) go to max. 13. To collect an image: · Find the area and magnification you want. · Make sure viewing port of microscope is covered by black screen. · Set the illumination using the microscope intensity control. The histogram in the middle of the right hand column should be in the center of the graph for good illumination. · Click the “Focus” radio box. This provides an extra 10X mag and turns the wobbler on. · Focus the image using the microscope “focus” controls. · You can return to survey by clicking the survey radio button or directly collect the image by clicking the “Click for Final Image” box. 14. To capture an image click the “Click for Final Image” box. IMPORTANT: All images must be saved in an “AMT Case File.” The case file name must begin with the last name of the PI responsible for the work. This insures that EM staff can identify who to contact regarding any problems. Files not saved as AMT Case Files with PI last name will be deleted from computer. Creating a case file for saving images 15. To create Case File click on “File” in the upper border tool bar. · Chose: File à Case Study à Create New Case 16. On the Create New Case box make sure · The drive is set to C:\ · The folder is set to Images 17. Type in the Case Name in the appropriate box (after the PI’s last name you can include any other information you desire). 18. Make sure the 8 bit radio button is checked. 19. Click on Create New Case. · If the case name is similar to a previous case it will ask you if you want to create anyway. Answer yes. 20. You will be returned to the AMT main screen and are ready to collect images for this case. · To open a previously created Case file to continue saving images into that Case, click on “File” in the upper border tool bar. · Choose: File à Case Study à Continue Previous Case
Saving Images 21. Once a Case File is open, the “File Drawer Icon” on the left-hand tool bar will read a 3-digit number rather than the word “Case.” This number is the number of the next image to be captured. 22. To save a captured image, click on the “File Drawer Icon.” The save image dialogue box will appear. 23. Confirm that: · The “print mag” radio button is active · Print size is set to 7 and the “in” radio button is active · The show micron bar radio button is active · In the boxes labeled “Caption 1” and “Caption 2” you can provide up to 2 lines of free text to help identify the image. This information will be printed on the bottom of the final image. 24. To save the imae, Click the “Save with Caption” button. · Your image will be saved with file name (the file name is the Case name) plus a 3-digit number. The first image will be File name 001, second is File name 002, etc.) 25. The images are TIFF images. The micrograph will be 7 in X 7 in and the lower white border of the image will include · The file name · The free text lines · The magnification of the image on the print · The date and time acquired · A micron bar · The KeV used to collect the image · The microscope magnification used to collect the image (Direct Mag) · And the identification that the image was made in the Research EM Core (REMC) 26. Your images will be on the C:\ drive, in the “Images” directory, and in a folder with the Case Name. 27. As soon as possible, you should transfer your images from the Camera Computer to your own media or server. The Camera Computer can write to CD or USB drive media. ONCE YOU HAVE MASTERED THE BASICS OF CAMERA OPERATION, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE A COPY OF THE AMT OPERATION MANUAL (AMT EVERYDAY MANUAL) LOCATED IN THE FOLDER C:\AMT SUPPORT DOCS) AND READ ABOUT THE ADVANCED OPTIONS FOR IMAGE CAPTURE. Created 4/19/06 by Jay Jerome. Copyright © 2006 Vanderbilt University. All rights reserved. Revised: April 1, 2008. |