OXFORD INSTRUMENTS – AZtecONE™ EDS SOP

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Getting Started with AZtecOne™AZtecOne™ is the Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) software that comes along with the x-act Silicon Drift Detector (SDD). The computer on the left side of the operator (referred to as the EDS PC) controls this software and the detector.

To begin an EDS Session using the AZtecOne™ software, click on the AZtecOne icon on the Desktop of the EDS PC.

Creating / Opening a ProjectAfter the AZtecOne software has started, the splash screen should appear. Here you can create a new project, or open an existing project using the shown buttons.

Create your projects on the D: drive. These files are not publicly accessible. In order to save your files to the MSE SharePoint server, see the section titled, “Exporting Your Data”

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A good format to use for project titles would be, netID-SpecificProject, SpecificProject being some internal designation that you or your group has chosen.

This step is common to all EDS operations, whether you are taking point spectra, line spectra or doing mapping. Choose the section below that is most applicable to your situation and desired data.

Toolbar Overview

Taking a Specimen ImageEvery spectra should start with taking a specimen image. To do this, click the Specimen Image button in AztecOne.

To acquire an image, click the play button. Settings can be access by clicking the gear icon.

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A dwell time of 5s is usually acceptable for image acquisition within AztecOne. Pay careful attention to the Input Signal, you need to match it to the detector you are currently using.

To achieve higher signal, multiple frames can be integrated to get better contrast by changing the “Number of Frames” in the settings.

This is the end of the common setup. Consult the appropriate section for advice on how to do a point spectra, line spectrum, or area map

Acquiring a Point SpectraPoint spectra are setup and acquired in the ‘Point Spectra’ window. After acquiring your electron image in the previous section, click the Spectra button, and you will see an image similar to the one shown below.

Before attempting to acquire a spectrum, check the settings in the point spectra setup window, by clicking the gear next to the ‘Stop’ button.

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Here you can change the Process Time (1 – fastest, lowest energy resolution, 6 – slowest, highest energy resolution), Oxford recommends 4 as a general purpose process time. If doing quantitative work a process time of 6 is recommended.

Acquisition Mode, can be set between Live Time and Counts.

It is strongly recommended to leave Pulse Pile Up Correction enabled. Once you are happy with the settings, click the green Play button to acquire the spectra.

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Once acquisition is complete, the detected elements can be edited by switching the window mode using the toggle in the upper right hand corner of the window.

Clicking the button that looks like a spectrum will switch the system into ‘edit’ mode, here you can include or exclude elements as required and check the deconvolution and fit.

Clicking on elements will turn them Red or Green. Red to disable, Green to enable. If you have used AZtec at MARL, or the SIF this will be the same procedure.

Once complete, refer to ‘Exporting Your Data’ on how to develop a report and get the information somewhere that is publicly accessible.

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Acquiring a Line ScanLine Scans are performed by pressing the ‘Line Scan’ button on the main toolbar.

Similar to a point scan, the settings may be modified by clicking the gear icon. To draw your scanline

on the image, use the line tool ( ) on the vertical toolbar. Once you’ve drawn your line the linescan automatically begins acquisition. If for some reason it does not start, you can click the Play button to start the Scan. Similar to a point spectra, elements can be edited by switching the window mode.

Once complete, refer to ‘Exporting Your Data’ on how to develop a report and get the information somewhere that is publicly accessible.

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Acquiring a MapAcquiring a dot map is the simplest procedure. Once you have taken your electron image, click the Mapping button. Check the settings using the gear icon, and then click ‘Play’ to acquire the dot map.

Once the map has completed to your satisfaction, you can add or remove elements and then export your data using the guidelines in the ‘Exporting Your Data’ section.

Exporting Your DataAll projects saved on the EDS computer are not publicly accessible. In order to access your data, you must first export it into a format you can use, and then move it onto the SharePoint Server. This process is done in two steps.

1. Using the EDS PC, export the relevant data to the Support PC.

2. Using the Support PC, move the data from the Support PC to the SharePoint Share

First, you should identify if you just want to export an image, or a full report. Follow the procedures listed below for each scenario. The procedure for moving data from the Support PC to the SharePoint server will be common for both.

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Export an Image of a Spectra or Area ScanTo export an area scan or a spectra, select the map or spectra and right-click. From the context menu, choose “Save As”

In order to save the image to your folder on the support computer, navigate to the desktop of the EDS computer, then click on the “Shared Data on SUPPORT PC” link.

Now that your data is saved on the Support PC, follow the section titled “Moving Data to SharePoint” further in this document.

Exporting a Full Report from AZtecOneIf you are familiar with AZtec, exporting a report is the exact same procedure. To export a report select the specimen, and spectrum you want to export. In this example case, the Specimen is Site 6 and the Spectrum is Spectrum 10. This will generate a Microsoft Word file, with various useful information included.Next to the settings icon are between four and five icons, depending on selection that represent different information that may be included in the report. Hover your mouse cursor over each icon for a

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quick explanation of each function, enable the functions that are relevant to your research and then click “Save As,”

Save this file on the Support PC using the information above for exporting a quick image.

Moving Data to SharePointMoving your exported EDS to SharePoint is a simple copy and paste procedure.

1. Open the “Local Microscope Images” folder on the desktop of the Support PC. Navigate to where you saved your exported EDS data.

2. In another window on the Support PC, open the “MSE SEM Server” folder and navigate to your folder.

3. Copy the data that you want to access from the Support PC to the SEM Server.

4. Your data is now accessible at:http://data.engineering.iastate.edu/mse/sem/yourUserFolder

Further InformationThe department has a good class on SEM theory and operation. If you are interested in taking it, look up MSE 552. The class also covers, EDS, WDS, Auger Spectroscopy and several other techniques.

If you would prefer a reference book, I suggest “Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis,” by Goldstein, Newbury, Joy, et. al. (ISBN-13: 9780306472923).

Contact InformationPlease report all issues with the microscope to:

Longlong Liaolliao@iastate.edu

Dr. Scott Chumbleychumbley@iastate.edu

Revision and Release HistoryRevision A: Initial Release.

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