Getting started with your PECS III

1. Connect all cables according to the Getting Started Guide.
2. If the system includes an optical microscope, install the microscope and the imaging PC.

3. Connect the monitor, mouse, and keyboard to the PC.
4. Place the monitor, mouse, and keyboard next to the instrument on the bench.
5. Connect the power cables for the PC and the monitor.
6. Connect the Ethernet cable between the Network port on the back of the instrument to the Network port on the rear of the PC labeled To ion beam instrument.
   1. This connection uses an add‑in network board.
7. If remote access is required, connect the second network port on the PC to the internet.

8. Slide the rack and pinion mount onto the post on the top of the instrument.
   1. Plug Cable A (shown in the first reference image) into the connector on the top‑right of the cabinet, as shown.
   2. Plug Cable B into an available USB port of the imaging PC.
   3. Plug Cable C into the Camera Trigger port on the back of the instrument.

9. Check the system for gas‑line leaks.
10. Turn on the main power switch located directly above the power cable.
11. Purge the argon gas line.
    1. Disconnect the argon hose from the back of the tool.
    2. Set the flow rate to 172 kPa (25 psi).
    3. Open the flow valve and let the argon run through the hose for 1 minute.
    4. While the argon still flowing, reconnect the hose to the back of the tool.
12. Confirm that both ion sources are ready.
    1. Start milling at 8 kV in No Modulation mode.
    2. Verify that both ion sources have an accelerating current greater than 20 µA.
    3. Stop milling.

13. Purge the ion sources overnight.
    • Disconnect the cold cathode gauge cable.
    • Set the gas flow mode to Manual.
    • Set both ion sources to 1 sccm.
    • Leave the system purging overnight.

14. Zero the mass flow controllers.
    1. Set the gas flow to Automatic.
    2. Press Zero to zero the mass flow controllers.

15. Align the ion sources.
    1. Insert the alignment screen.
    2. Align the ion sources at 0°.
    3. Use
       1. the left front beam sector to align the left ion source.
       2. the right front beam sector to align the right ion source
    4. Center the beams to the feature located in the center of the alignment screen.

16. Mix the silver paint thoroughly.
    1. A large clump may be present at the bottom of the bottle; vigorously mix it with the solvent.
    2. This thorough mixing is required only once.
17. Mount a sample on the appropriate holder:
    1. Holder 1: Samples 10 – 20 mm in height.
    2. Holder 2: Samples 0 – 10 mm in height.

All milling parameters are sample‑dependent. The values listed above (8 kV, 5º, No Modulation) are starting points only and should be adjusted based on sample material and preparation goals. For planar samples, 3 – 6 pm is typically recommended.