SPI Supplies Silicon Membrane Window Grids for TEM

US100-A15Q33	US100-P30Q05

Now SPI Supplies is happy to introduce pure Silicon membrane TEMwindow grids. Silicon membrane window technology changes the way researchers in the nanoscale world look at their samples.

Why Silicon?

Why Silicon? The ability to utilize membrane technology using silicon provides certain advantages over silicon nitride and silicon oxide/silicon dioxide membranes. In addition, silicon film as thin as 5nm can be produced providing the greatest transparency in TEM applications.

Silicon membranes are available in both solid thin films and holey “nanoporous” films. The films are available in thicknesses down to 5 nm. Despite this thinness, the membranes are extremely strong and robust and support well over 1 atmosphere of differential pressure. This stability enables a wide range of applications in harsh temperatures and conditions.

Features of Silicon membrane TEM Windows:

• Pure silicon composition
• 5 nm, 9 nm and 15 nm thick continuous (a.k.a. amorphous) membranes
• 30 nm thick, nanoporous membrane
• Nanoporous: pore sizes ranging from 10 nm to 60 nm
• 100 µm thick frame
• Three basic formats: 1 window, 2 window, or 9 window formats

Unique Benefits of Silicon Membrane TEM Windows Grids

• Stable at high beam currents and high temperatures
• Robust enough to withstand multiples plasma cleaning, harsh deposition and chemical conditions
• Hydrophilic surface allows easy sample prep
• Reduced Chromatic Blur from Carbon grids

Unique Benefits of NANOPOROUS Silicon Membrane TEM Window Grids

• Simple and stable suspension of nanoscale materials across the pores for background-free imaging
• A convenient internal calibration signal for materials analysis studies

Handling:

Silicon membrane window grids are amazingly robust when dry. However, care must be taken when they are wetted. We recommend avoiding excessive drying steps and using alcohols or low viscosity solvents in place of water for sample preparation. High salt solutions should also be avoided. If a salt solution is required, then a final rinse in de-ionized water is recommended to avoid depositing salt crystals on the window. Wicking of excess fluid with absorbent paper should be avoided if possible. Drying samples under light vacuum or in air is recommended. To avoid breakage, grids should be stored in the provided gel-pack and the grids should remain membrane-side facing up as packaged. We recommend handling grids using flat-sided plastic tweezers such our style K2A or K6.

Cleaning:

Silicon membrane window grids are made of pure silicon and can be repeatedly plasma cleaned without degradation. They can also be cleaned by UV-ozone without degradation. However, UV-ozone will reduce water contact angle and increase surface wetting. The silicon membrane can form a thin native oxide layer when exposed to the atmosphere. If desired, this oxide layer can be removed with a 15 second wash in 1:100 hydrofluoric acid (HF). Prolonged treatment in HF will slowly etch the silicon membrane. Warning: HF should only be used by experienced personnel with the appropriate environmental protection. Please consult the HF manufacturer's MSDS.

Products

Silicon membrane window grids are available in both continuous and nanoporous TEMwindow grids. They come as a package of 10 in a Gel-Pak container for ease of handling.

Continuous

Continuous Films 100µm Thick Grids

Continuous films may be slightly wrinkled with approximately 5 micrometers or less deflection across 100 micrometers of travel. We have found that this is typically not problem for high-resolution imaging.

The surface roughness generally ranges from 200 to 300 picometers RMS as measured by AFM. This was found to be consistent in both porous and continuous films.

100 micron frames fit a wider range of TEM sample holders, allowing more users to take advantage of our Si grids. They also allow better access to the membrane active area in high-tilt applications.

Frame Thickness: 100µm
Film Type: Amorphous (Continiuous) Silicon
Frame Size: Fits 3mm TEM Sample Holder
Package Size: 10 Grids

Membrane Thickness (nm)	Window Size	Number of Windows per Grid	SPI #	Each		In Stock
15 nm	(8) 100 x 100 µm Squares + (1) 100 x 350 µm	9	US100-A15Q33	$210.00		No
15 nm	100 x 100 µm Squares	9	US100-A15Q *	$214.20		Yes

Frame Thickness: 100µm
Film Type: Amorphous Silicon
Frame Size: Fits 3mm TEM Sample Holder
Package Size: 10 Grid

Membrane Thickness (nm)	Window Size	Number of Windows per Grid	SPI #	Each		In Stock
15 nm	100 x 1500 µm	2	US100-A15L	$210.00		Yes
9 nm	(8) 100 x 100 µm + (1) 100 x 350 µm	9	US100-A09Q33	250.00		Yes
9 nm	100 x 1500 µm	2	US100-A09L	250.00		No
5 nm	25 x 25 µm	1	US100-A05Q00	290.00		No
5 nm	50 x 1500 µm	2	US100-A05L	290.00		No
5 nm	(8) 50 x 50 µm + (1) 50 x 100 µm (Small)	9	US100-A05Q33A	290.00		No
5 nm	(8) 100 x 100 µm + (1) 100 x 350 µm	9	US100-A05Q33	290.00		No

Frame Thickness: 200µm
Film Type: Amorphous Silicon
Frame Size: Fits 3mm TEM Sample Holder
Package Size: 10 Grids

Membrane Thickness (nm)	Window Size	Number of Windows per Grid	SPI #	Each		In Stock
15 nm	100 x 100 µm Squares	9	US200-A15Q *	$214.20		Yes
9 nm	100 x 100 µm Squares	9	US200-A09Q *	255.00		Yes
5 nm	100 x 100 µm Squares	9	US200-A05Q *	295.80		Yes
15 nm	100 x 1500 µm Slots	2	US200-A15L *	214.20		Yes
9 nm	100 x 1500 µm Slots	2	US200-A09L *	255.00		Yes

* Availble While Supplies Last!

Nano Continuous Films 100µm Thick Grids

Membrane films are porous due to crystallization of silicon. Nanocrystals can appear as background and the best imaging occurs over the nanopores. The diameter of the nanopores ranges from 10 to 60 nanometers. The porosity averages 15%.

Frame Thickness: 100µm
Film Type: Porous Crystalline
Frame Size: Fits 3 mm TEM Sample Holders
Package Size: 10 Grid

Membrane Thickness (nm)	Window Size	Number of Windows per Grid	Max Pore Size	Percent Porosity	SPI #	Each		In Stock
30 nm	(8) 100 x 100 µm Squares + (1) 100 x 350 µm	9	~ 50nm	~5%	US100-P30Q33	$250.00		No
30 nm	100 x 1500 µm Slots	2	~ 50nm	~5%	US100-P30Q05	250.00		No