You will need:

• Carbon thread
• Thread holder
• Screwdriver
• Filled LN2 trap

Setup

• Secure carbon thread in holder
• Attach the holder to rod B&D and grounded rod 7cm from grid
• Insert sample
• Hold in place with microscope slide or pennies
• Move stop over sample to prevent C from coating during step 10
• Pump down to 10-4
• Turn dial to #0 (L)
• Switch LT selector to D (30V)
• Switch on LT
• Turn the selector up to # 2 to make the thread glow a few seconds and off gas contamination slowly
• Remove stop to coat with C
• Add liquid nitrogen to the LN2 trap
• Allow vacuum to recover to 5x10-6 - may need to be restarted
• Trip the LT
• Set selector to 6
• Press reset & look away
• Turn off LT
• Vent bell jar

7cm from grid and 1cm of thread gives about 6 nm carbon coat

This method is very reproducible

Visit Cryo EM Web site at http://www.nysbc.org/facilities/CEM

-- DavidStokes - 18 Mar 2005

• Set ALLOWTOPICCHANGE = CemfacGroup