Twin anode X-ray source

Sample Transfer and Measurement Positions

1.  Ensure the X-ray source is off and pulled out to the safe position marked by the top red line on the linear transfer.

X-ray source position for sample transfer

2. Transfer the sample.
3. Move the manipulator to the default position for XPS:

Default XPS position

Theta angle	240°
x	21.5
y	26.0
z	10.0

4.  Verify sample position in camera view. Orange circle indicates analyzed area (~7 mm).

Analyzed area

5. Adjust Z-axis (vertical) position.
6. Adjust horizontal position.
   1. X and Y must be moved almost simultaneosly. Change each single axis by no more than 1 mm.
   2. Per 1 mm of horizontal asjustment, move Y by 0.87 mm (sin(60°)) and X by -0.5 mm (-cos(60°)).

X,Y positions

Δd (mm)	X (mm)	Y (mm)		Δd (mm)	X	Y
0	21.5	26	Default position	0	21.5	26
-1	21.0	26.9		1	22	25.1
-2	20.5	27.7		2	22.5	24.3
-3	20	28.6		3	23	23.4
-4	19.5	29.5		4	23.5	22.5
-5	19	30.3		5	24	21.7

7. Lower X-ray gun to the red line on the linear transfer, approximately 12.5 mm from the bottom limit. (the width of wrench 13, which is often somewhere around.)

X-ray gun operation position

8. Cover windows 14, 15, 16, and 22 with lead shields.

Lead shields

Start-Up Procedure

1. Verify the main chamber base pressure is below 5x10^-9 mbar.
2. Turn on the X-ray source power supply and wait at least 10 minutes for electronics thermal stabilization.
3. Open the water cooling circuit and set the water pressure to aprox. 4.8 bars.

• Open drain valve first.
• Slowly open the source valve until the pressure reaches approximately 4.8 bars.

4. Verify all interlock LEDs are green.

Power supply, Interlocks

5. Start Avantage software. Select OK when a licence window appears.

6. Navigate to the "Instrument" tab (A). The Xray Gun Control panel will appear on the top.
   1. If the panel displays "Device OK" (B), software control is ready.
   2. Expand the control panel by clicking the arrow on its right edge.

X ray Gun Control Panel

7. Select 15W from the Spot/Power list in the X-Ray Gun Control panel (C).
8. Monitor the main chamber pressure.
9. Press the Apply button (D). The gun ramping up procedure will start. Wait for the "Device OK" (B) message and monitor the pressure, which should remain below 5x10^-9 mbar. (Initial pressure spikes up to 1x10^-8 mbar mbar are normal.)
10. Once the pressure stabilizes (decreases), gradually increase the power to 100W, 200W, and finally 300W.
11. Wait at least 10 minutes for X-ray intensity to stabilize.

Shutdown Procedure

1. In the X-Ray Gun Control panel, press the Shutdown button and wait for the "Device OK" message to reappear.
2. Verify that the red "HV ON" indicator on the power supply is off.
3. Maintain water cooling for at least 10 minutes.
4. Close the water cooling circuit.
   1. Slowly close the source valve first..
   2. Then, close the drain valve.
5. Pull out the X-ray gun. Raise the linear transfer until the top red line mark is visible.
6. Exit Avantage software.

 

Binding energy scale calibration

Pass energy 100 eV, A21 mode:
Convert kinetic energies to binding energies by subtracting the kinetic energy from the Fermi edge positions listed in the following table.

Anode	Photon energy (eV)	Fermi edge KE (eV)	Resolution (eV)
Mg Kα	1253.6	1248.67	0.85
Al Kα	1486.6	1481.72	1.0

Transmission function

Pass energy 100 eV, A21 mode:
T(E_kin) = 36.57*(E_kin)^(-0.12118)-14.11

Pass energy 100 eV, Transmission mode:
T(E_kin) = 25.35*(E_kin)^(-0.046378)-17.66

Troubleshooting

Avantage program is not responding

1. Open Task manager
2. Stop the following apps and processes:
   • Avantage - main application
   • XRayGunMgr Module
   • XR4Server Module
   • X352 Module
3. Restart the Avantage software

Complete Loss of XPS Signal

Check the water flow interlock. If it's off, refer to the "Low Water Flow" section.

Low water flow

Check the water pressure. If it's between 4 and 5 bars, clean the filter.

Filter cleaning

1. Shutdown the X-ray gun, wait for 10 minutes, then close the water source and drain valves.
2. Locate the filter, note its up-down orientation and the positions of the Swagelok nuts (to avoid overtightening).
3. Dismount the filter and clean it in an ultrosonic bath (using distilled or isopropanol) for 20 minutes.
4. Flush the filter: first in the reversed water flow direction, then in the correct water direction.
5. Reinstall the filter in the correct orientation, ensuring not to overtighten the Swagelok nuts.
6. Open water circuit.
7. Check for water leaks.
8. Monitor the water flow for about 30 minutes. If the water flow decreases notably, repeat the cleaning procedure.

HV Trip

When the HV Trip LED ligths up upon switching on the power supply, switch it off, wait for at least 10s, and then try again.