Revised 03/25/2020 1
Tecnai T12 Operating Procedures
I. Initial Procedures 1
II. Accelerating Voltage 3
III. Specimen Loading and Holder Insertion/Removal 3
IV. Emission Current 7
V. Alignment 7
VI. Camera Control and Imaging 14
VII. End of Session 16
VIII. Troubleshooting 17
IX. Addenda 22
I. Initial Procedures
1.) Check that the “Vac.” and “HT” buttons are lit on the microscope control panel
(check with the room lights on; the buttons automatically dim when the room is
dark). If “Vac.” is not lit, contact the EM staff. If “HT” is not lit, press the button
to light it and proceed normally but make a note in the instrument log.
2.) Log in with the username and password created during training. If the vacuum
logger is running, close it and log off vacuumuser first.
3.) Sign in to the CharFac reservation system and the paper logbook.
4.) Launch the Tecnai User Interface and Digital Micrograph programs.
5.) Check that the microscope status reads
“COL. VALVES” and that the “Col. Valves
Closed” button is pressed (buttons appear
yellow when active).
6.) Fill the cold trap with LN2. The first Dewar
flask of the day should last ~30–40
minutes. Later dewars will each last 2–3
hours. Do not allow the cold finger to
warm or the vacuum will deteriorate
significantly.
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