Alto 2100

The ALTO 2100 is a complementary model to our world renowned ALTO 2500 with its high resolution cryo results on Field Emission SEMs. Both systems are quick and easy to use - from initial rapid freezing to final imaging of the cryo-prepared sample takes just a few minutes.

The ALTO 2100 system uses a high-stability SEM cold stage with a cooling circuit that is independent of the SEM vacuum and therefore compatible with low vacuum and environmental modes of operation. A completely new cryo-preparation chamber, with a large integral nitrogen dewar, gives all-day hold time, cold fracturing and excellent cryo-pumping of water vapour.

Specification of Alto 2100

Nitrogen cold stage (-185°C to +100°C) and interface to SEM stage

Anticontaminator and lamp assembly

Nitrogen 'heat exchange' dewar and gas feedthroughs to SEM chamber

Ball valve incorporating microswitches plus mechanical interlock and interface to SEM chamber

High vacuum cryo preparation chamber, with integral nitrogen dewar, sample platform

Cold knife fracturing device

Sputter coating source (supplied with Au target)

Airlock gate valve with interface for vacuum transfer device

Keypad control unit for vacuum, coating and temperature control, also system logic status

Vacuum transfer device

'2-pot' freezing station for producing nitrogen slush and loading pre-frozen samples

Multi-functional two stage rotary pump, with exhaust filter, flexible pumping lines, foreline trap

Power electronics and solenoid valves, mounted in floor standing cabinet

Specimen holder including a range of stubs and rivets

Options

Binocular viewer, x10 and x20 magnification

Additional specimen holders

Self pressurising N2 dewar with gas flow regulator

for cooling SEM cold stage and gas purging

Rotary knife with micrometer control

To download the Application Note, "Visualisation of Surfactants using Cryo-electron Microscopy" click here

To download the Application Note, "The use of cryo-SEM to Study nematodes', click here

To download the Application Note, Cryo techniques using low vacuum SEM', click here

To download the Application Note, "Observation of foods using cryo-SEM ', click here

To download the poster: "Low temperature scanning electron microscopy of cryo-planed and ion milled block faces", click here.

To download the Application Note, "Investigations of Cementitious Materials with Low Temperature SEM', click here.

To download the Application Note, "Cryo_SEM imaging with Gatan ALTO tilting, rotating sample holder', click here. .