Gatan PIPS

Gatan PIPS (Precision Ion Polishing System) is used to produce clean TEM specimens with wide electron transparent areas, usually these specimens are 3 mm diameter disks from metal or ceramic materials.  The milling is conducted with two beams approaching the sample from its bottom and top surfaces. The instrument uses Ar+ ions to mill the specimens and operates normally at 4-5 kV and ion current of 40 µA with an initial incidence angle of 6-8° and a final angle of 2-4°. The PIPS can also be used to clean TEM specimens after FIB- and electropolishing-preparations.

Location: Hawken Building 50, Room L111

Contact: Olexandra Marenych o.marenych@uq.edu.au