Linkam Scientific Instruments LTS420 User manual

LTS420
Temperature Controlled Stage
Linkam Scientific Instruments
USER GUIDE

2
Contents
Before Setting Up your Equipment…………………………………………………………………………….………..3
Important Notice...................................................................................................................4
Warranty..............................................................................................................................4
Technical Support.................................................................................................................4
Equipment Maintenance........................................................................................................4
Handling Liquid Nitrogen.......................................................................................................4
Feedback..............................................................................................................................4
Safety Precautions................................................................................................................5
Symbol Reference.....................................................................................................5
Introduction..........................................................................................................................6
LTS420 Stage Specifications.......................................................................................6
LTS420 System.....................................................................................................................6
Stage Anatomy.....................................................................................................................7
Lid Assembly.............................................................................................................7
Stage Assembly.........................................................................................................7
Mounting Stage to Microscope with Dovetail Substage.............................................................8
Setting up the Condenser......................................................................................................8
Setting up ECP Water Circulator Pump....................................................................................9
Connecting the Instruments.................................................................................................10
T95 System Controller Cable Connections.........................................................................10
LNP95 Cooling Pump Connection.....................................................................................10
Remove Transit Screws............................................................................................10
Back Panel Cable Connection....................................................................................10
Sample preparation.............................................................................................................11
Loading a Sample...........................................................................................................11
Using the Heat Shield.....................................................................................................12
Cooling Connections............................................................................................................13
Purging Procedure...............................................................................................................14
Use LinkPad to set the LNP95 to Manual Mode..................................................................14
Filling the Liquid Nitrogen Dewar.....................................................................................14
Purging the Stage Method 1............................................................................................15
Purging the Stage Method 2............................................................................................16
Appendix............................................................................................................................17
Window Assembly...............................................................................................................17
Lid Window Assembly..............................................................................................17
Bottom Window Assembly........................................................................................17
Replacing the Microscope Slide Holder……………………………………………………………………………....18
LTSE420 with Internal Electrical Contacts…………………………………………………………….…………….19
Using the Internal Electrical Contacts………………………………………………….………………….20
Lemo Connector…………………………………………………………………………………………………..21
Liquid Crystal Stage Pro.......................................................................................................22
Using the Liquid Crystal Cell...........................................................................................22
Spares and Accessories........................................................................................................23
Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................25
Contact Details....................................................................................................................28

3
Before Setting Up Your Equipment
Please register your products by going to www.linkam.co.uk and click on the
product/software registration button.
You will need to register your equipment with us to:
 Activate your warranty and technical support
 Access the online setup videos
 Permanently unlock the Linksys32 software (if purchased)
If you have purchased Linksys32 software, please install the software first. This pro-
cess will guide to register all of your products.
See Linksys32 manual for further installation instructions.
A CD with a setup videos is supplied with your system.

4
Important Notice
Please check that your Linkam equipment has not been damaged during transit. If there is any evidence of
external damage DO NOT SWITCH ON ANY ELECTRICAL ITEMS.
Contact LINKAM SCIENTIFIC or their appointed distributor immediately. Your warranty may be im-
paired if Linkam is not informed of any transport damage within 7 working days of delivery.
NO attempt should be made to repair or modify the equipment in any way, as there are no user replaceable
parts.
No attempt should be made to open the case except by qualified personnel as hazardous voltages are pre-
sent.
In order to use this equipment successfully, please take time to read this manual all the way through before
using it.
Warranty
This equipment has a warranty against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 12 months.
Linkam will either repair or replace products that prove to be defective. For warranty service or repair,
this product must be returned to Linkam or a designated service facility.
The warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse,
operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper site preparation or
maintenance.
Technical Support
Any technical questions or queries should be addressed to the Technical Support Department at the ad-
dress shown on the back of this manual.
Equipment Maintenance
Use a small quantity of isopropyl alcohol with a soft cloth and gently wipe the surface. To clean the stage,
use isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and cotton swabs. Take great care not to touch the platinum temperature
sensor protruding from the side of the heating element. The sensor is very fragile.
Handling Liquid Nitrogen
To cool samples below room temperature a LNP95 liquid nitrogen pump is required. Please refer to your
health and safety manual for instructions on how to handle liquid nitrogen safely. The Dewar supplied
with the LNP95 has a safety release valve built into the siphon assembly. Always use in a well ventilated
room.
Feedback
Your feedback will be greatly appreciated, please go to www.linkam.co.uk to fill in the Feedback form.

5
Safety Precautions
1) Read this guide before using the equipment. Save these instructions for later use.
2) Follow all warnings and instructions which may be placed on the programmer or stage.
3) If for any reason the mains fuse needs to be replaced then it must be replaced by one of the same
type and rating as shown in the equipment ratings.
4) To prevent electric shock, do not remove the cover of the controller or associated electronics.
5) Never use the equipment if a power cable has been damaged. Do not allow any heavy objects to
rest on the power cables. Never lay the power cables on the floor.
6) Do not obstruct any ventilation holes. Do not attempt to insert anything into these openings.
Provide adequate ventilation of at least 75mm all around the equipment.
7) Do not expose the equipment to water. If for any reason it gets wet then unplug it from the mains
and contact Linkam Scientific Technical Support.
8) The equipment is not intended to be used outdoors.
9) Each product is equipped with a 3-wire grounded (earth) mains plug or a free-end 3 wire
mains lead. The plug only fits into a grounded-type outlet. The free-end mains lead should be
connected to a correctly grounded 3-wire mains outlet. Do not defeat the purpose of the grounded
(earth) type plug.
Free - end mains leads are colour coded as follows :
Colour Function
Brown Live
Blue Neutral
Green/Yellow Earth (Ground)
10) If any problems occur then unplug the equipment from the mains outlet and contact Linkam Sci-
entific Technical Support.
11) Do not remove the cover from the equipment unless the mains inlet has been removed. Any
servicing should be carried out by qualified service personnel.
Symbol References
Caution:
This safety symbol is on the back panel of the equipment and warns:-
The user must not make or remove any connections while the unit is powered on.
To avoid electric shock do not remove the cover. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
Caution:
This warning symbol indicates that the surface labelled with this symbol may be hot.

6
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the LTS420 Heating
and Freezing stage system. Please take the time to
read through the manual as it will help you to
make the most out of the equipment.
LTS420 Stage Specifications
Maximum temperature: 420°C
Minimum temperature: -196 °C with LNP95
Maximum heating rate: 40°C/min
Objective Lens WD: 6.0mm
Condenser lens WD: 13.2mm
XY-Manipulators travel: 15mm
Aperture hole: 2.5mm
LTS420 System
The system consists of a LTS420 stage, a T95-
LinkPad System Controller and optional LNP95
liquid nitrogen cooling pump system.
Linksys32 System control software and digital
video capture can be added as an option to control
from PC.
If you have Linksys32, please first install the
software on the PC and activate Linksys32 within
10 days.
The LTS420 stage is mounted onto the micro-
scope by using either specific stage clamps, an
adaptor plate or by simply placing on the XY
table of the microscope, using double sided adhe-
sive tape.
LTS420 System with LNP95

7
Stage Anatomy
Lid Assembly
Swing the Stage Lid (1) to open the Stage.
1. Stage Lid
2. Lid Insert
3. Viewing Window
4. Holes for Tube Clip Holder
or window removal tool
5. Hinge
Stage Assembly
6. Lemo connector for Stage Lead
7. Bypass Stage body water cooling connector
8. Heating element wire
9. PT100 platinum temperature sensor
10. Stage Chamber
11. Aperture hole (2.5mm)
12. Pure Silver Heating / cooling block
(43x53mm)
13. Heating/Cooling Block Support
14. Y-manipulator
15. X-manipulator
16. Liquid nitrogen cooling connector
17. Stainless steel cooling tube for liquid nitrogen
18. Rubber sealing o-ring
19. Stage body water cooling connector
20. Gas purge valve
21. Fixing screw for microscope Sample Slide
holder
22. Microscope Sample Slide Holder
23. Alignment peg for Sample Slide Holder
24. Pure silver Heat Shield
25. Aperture hole (5mm)
1
2
3
5
Swing Stage Lid to open
4
24
25
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
13

8
Mounting Stage to Microscope
with Dovetail Substage
The following description is for mounting the
stage on to microscopes which have a circular
dovetail substage assembly (1).
Attach the curved stage clamps (part no. 9542) to
the base of the stage using the supplied hex
screws and the outer most holes in the base plate.
Adjust the two positioning screws (2) so that
approximately 5mm of thread is exposed on the
inside edge of the clamp. This will roughly posi-
tion the stage in the centre of the dovetail.
Place the stage onto the dovetail, then focus a
10X objective lens on the aperture of the heating
element. Using the two positioning screws (2)
ensure that the aperture is in the centre of the field
of view and lock the stage in place by tightening
the Locking Thumbscrew (3).
For other types of microscope substage, refer to
the diagram included with the stage adaptor.
Setting up the Condenser
Place a small sample on a microscope slide and
place onto the surface of the microscope slide.
Use a 10X lens to focus on the sample. Now
close down the microscope field diaphragm and
adjust the condenser focus so that the edges of the
diaphragm are in focus. Now use the condenser
positioning screws to centre the condenser in your
field of view. Open the diaphragm so that it just
fills the field of view.
For more information about Koehler illumination
see the extremely informative ‘Microscopy Pri-
mer’ on the Molecular Expressions website.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/
index.html
9542 curved clamps set
Linkam Imaging Station
with dovetail substage
1
2
2
3

9
Setting up ECP Water Circulator
Pump
If you have purchased the ECP with your system,
read the following to set up the ECP (1)with the
LTS420 stage. Refer to the ECP manual for more
details.
When heating the stage above 300°C for more
than a couple of minutes, the metal body of the
stage can get quite hot. The ECP is used to cool
the metal casing. Connect the tubing as shown in
the opposite picture.
Note: If you have an LNP95 Liquid Nitr ogen
Cooling system, the tubing from the Dewar must
not be connected to the LTS420 stage when heat-
ing above 300°C. The thin black capillary tube
will melt inside the heater and damage it.
OutletBypass cooling
Inlet
1

10
Connecting the Instruments
T95 System Controller
Cable Connections
For more details on the T95 System Controller
please refer to the T95 System Controller manual.
Connect the Stage Cable to the Lemo Connector
on the stage and connect the other end to the
Stage Connection Socket (1).
LNP95 Cooling Pump Connection
If your system is supplied with a LNP95 Liquid
Nitrogen Cooling Pump System, setup the LNP95
as described below.
Remove Transit Screws
Before using the LNP95 remove the 4 transit
screws, marked by small yellow labels (2), from
the base of the LNP95. Transit screws shown by
arrows in the adjacent image. These screws hold
the pumps in place for shipping.
Keep the screws safe by screwing them into the
holes on the back panel as shown by the arrows.
The screws must be replaced back into the transit
holes on the base, when shipping back to Linkam
for service or repair.
Back Panel Cable Connection
Connect the Instrument Bus Cable (3) between
the LNP95 and T95 as shown.
Note: either of the purple coloured Instrument
Bus Sockets on the LNP95 can be used.
LNP95 MUST BE SWITCHED ON BE-
FORE T95 SYSTEM CONTROLLER
T95
LNP95
3
T95 back panel
1
2

11
Sample Preparation
Note: Temperature control performance is easily
compromised. Therefore it is very important to
keep the Heating/Cooling block and microscope
glass slide clean. Use a soft cloth and IPA (iso-
propyl alcohol) to clean.
The Heating/Cooling block is made from pure
silver, a soft metal. Please take extra care when
cleaning the block to avoid scratching the surface
and therefore compromising the temperature
accuracy of the sample.
Loading a Sample
The Microscope Slide Holder is fitted on to the
LTS420 and the holder is not touching the silver
heating/cooling block, it should hover just above
it.
Note: if necessary the Microscope Slide Holder
can be bent with a little force into shape to help it
to hold the microscope glass slide.
Place a standard microscope glass slide
(26x76mm) in the Microscope Slide Holder, use
a spatula and tap on the microscope glass slide to
make sure that it is sitting flat on the heating
block .
Place the sample on top of the microscope glass
slide. Ensure that the sample is as small as possi-
ble and that it is as flat as possible. Heat flow into
or out of the sample is affected by the amount of
sample area in contact with the temperature con-
trolled surface.
Place a W16G (16 x 0.17mm) or a W22G (22 x
0.17mm) glass cover on top of the sample and
gently tap the top with the back of the tweezers to
disperse powder samples. Doing this to ensure
good thermal contact of irregularly shaped sam-
ples and to create a flat surface for the microscope
lens to focus on.
Accurate temperatures can be obtained by keep-
ing the sample as small and flat as possible.

12
Using the Heat Shield
If the temperature controlled experiment requires
extra temperature stability, use the supplied Heat
Shield to cover the heater.
Use the Y-manipulator (1) to move the Micro-
scope Slide Holder to the middle of the heating
bock and use the X-manipulator (2) to move the
Microscope slide holder to the home position
(8mm from the edge).
The Heat Shield (3) is very precisely made with
the Microscope Slide Holder in this position, it
will ensure that the edges of the Heat Shield make
good thermal contact with the edge of the heating
element and a thermal oven around the sample is
created.
Place the Heat Shield over the microscope slide
so that it rests on the heating element. The sam-
ple is now heated from all sides enabling a very
even temperature throughout the sample. Heating
rates may be slightly compromised due to the
extra thermal mass but sample temperature accu-
racy will be improved.
Note: the Heat Shield is made from pure silver, a
soft metal. Please take extra care when handling
the heat shield and DO NOT bend it out of shape.
When not in use always store the Heat Shield in
the plastic casing provided for the stage.
To increase temperature stability even further,
place a (W16G) 16mm cover slip on the heat
shield to prevent heat escaping from the 5mm
aperture.
Note: This may slightly compromise your image
if high NA lenses are being used. Experiment to
see if this extra cover slip has a detrimental effect
on the image.
1
2
3

13
Cooling Connections
These connections need only be made if the
experiments are to be carried out below room
temperature using the LNP95 system.
The Dewar siphon (1) is the thick white foam
tubing and is attached to the liquid nitrogen Dew-
ar. The thin black capillary tube inside the white
foam tube must be inserted into the liquid nitro-
gen cooling connector on the stage.
The white tubing slides on to the outside of the
connector. Twist the siphon whilst sliding it on
and push until it comes to a stop. It does not need
to go all the way to the base of the connector.
The thicker silicon tube from the LNP95 cooling
pump ends in a white PTFE connector (2), this is
pushed over the end of the other stainless steel
connector as seen in the image.
The short tube branching from the side of this
white connector is the Gas Purging Tube (3).
There is a valve opening Insert connector (4)
inserted into the end of this tube. During the
purging procedure, insert this connector into the
Gas Purge Valve (5) on the side of the stage to
open it.
The Gas Purge Valve (5) is opened when the Gas
Insert (6) is pushed firmly into the connector, a
“click” is heard when the two parts are connected
properly. To remove the Gas Insert, push the
outer sleeve of Gas Purge Valve toward the stage
and the Gas Insert (6) should drop out.
There is a second Gas Purge Valve on the oppo-
site side of the stage to allow the gas to leave the
stage. A Gas Insert must also be inserted into this
Gas Purge Valve (7) when purging.
The smaller tube from the outlet on the LNP95
should be placed in position on the top of the lid
using the Tube Clip Holder (8). This tube blows
warm recycled nitrogen gas across the lid window
to prevent condensation on the viewing window
surface.
1
2
34
7
5
6
8

14
Purging Procedure
Before starting a cooling experiment, you will need to purge air from the stage chamber with dry nitrogen.
This will remove the water in the air which would otherwise condense and freeze on the sample disrupting
your image quality.
Before you can start purging, the LNP95 must be set to manual mode.
You can either use the LinkPad touch screen or Linksys32 software.
Use LinkPad to set the LNP95 to
Manual Mode
Touch the active area (1) under ‘Lnp Speed’ to
change to the LNP Screen Menu. Touch
’Man’ (2) to switch the LNP95 to manual mode.
The word ‘auto’ is changed to ’speed’ to indicate
the LNP95 is functioning in manual mode.
Using the Keypad type in 100 (max pump speed)
and touch the ’Enter’ button (4) to start the
LNP95 at the programmed speed (5).
Filling the Liquid Nitrogen Dewar
Please follow your health and safety manual for
directions on how to handle liquid nitrogen and
ensure that you have the correct safety equipment
including gloves and safety goggles.
Fill the Dewar approximately 2/3 full and replace
the lid with siphon attached.
DO NOT FASTEN THE CATCHES
Wait for the nitrogen to stop bubbling before
fastening the catches.
Take care when placing lid on a table to always
have the black capillary pointing upwards. It is
easily damaged which will impair N2 flow.
1
2
4
5

15
Purging the Stage Method 1
There are two methods for purging the stage. Method 1 uses recycled nitrogen gas produced by the
LNP95 from the 2L Dewar.
1. Make sure the stage lid is in place and the stage door is closed.
2. Switch on the temperature programmer and set the limit to 40°C. Press the START button and
wait until the temperature limit is reached. Press HOLD to hold the temperature at 40°C.
3. Switch on the LNP95 cooling system and set it to manual mode, (see page 13) and set the speed to
maximum of 100.
4. Check that the Gas Inserts are locked into place
5. Using a finger on the left hand, block the hole in the white plastic pump connector found on the
perpendicular side to the purging tube. Still working with the left hand, pinch the narrow window
tube to block it. This action will divert all of the nitrogen gas to the Purging Tube and through the
Stage Chamber.
6. With the nitrogen gas flowing through the Sample Chamber, use a finger on the right hand to
block the gas outlet for a few seconds to allow pressure build, then release the gas. Repeat this
for a few minutes to purge the stage.
7. The purging procedure allows mixing of nitrogen gas with the residual air inside the Sample
Chamber. By pressurising the chamber with nitrogen gas and releasing it, the air inside the
Chamber is being diluted with the nitrogen gas.
8. Remove the two Gas Inserts and unblock the pump connector and window tube.
9. Change the LNP95 to AUTOMATIC mode so that the T95 automatically controls pump speed
during your cooling experiment
10. Go to www.linkam.co.uk and register your equipment to see videos of how to purge and more.
Pinch window tube
with left hand
Block hole in
Connector with finger
Purging
tube
Block and release outlet
valve with finger

16
Purging the Stage Method 2
This method uses an inert gas from a gas cylinder
to purge the stage at temperatures above ambient
when the LNP95 is not required.
1. Make sure the Stage Lid is in place and the
Stage Door is closed.
2. From a gas cylinder connect the Gas Insert
with a tubing 3mm inner diameter and 6mm
outer diameter to the Gas Purge Valve (1).
3. Connect a Gas Insert to the opposite side Gas
Purge Valve (2).
4. Use the gas regulator to set a gas flow rate of
1L/min.
5. With the gas flowing through the Sample
Chamber, block the gas outlet for a few sec-
onds and releasing the gas outlet valve with a
finger. Repeat this for a few minutes to purge
the stage.
Reduce the gas flow rate to 20cc/min to continu-
ously purge the stage or remove the two Gas
Inserts to keep the chamber under closed inert
atmosphere.
Note: Helium gas is not recommended for contin-
uous purging. This gas has a very high thermal
conductivity and will cool the silver heating block
too much during an experiment and may cause the
temperature to fluctuate.
2
1
To gas cylinder
Block and release
outlet valve with
finger

17
Appendix
Window Assembly
Lid Window Assembly
To replace the windows in the Stage Lid (1) use
the Window Tool (2) and align the two wide
spacing pins to the Tube Clip Holder holes and
unscrew the Lid Insert (3).
The Stage Lid and Lid Insert should be turned
upside down as shown in the diagram opposite
and reassembled in the order indicated.
The Lid Insert should be screwed down until the
cover slips are held firmly, then turn the assembly
over and screw down the Lid Insert until it is felt
to come to a stop.
Bottom Window Assembly
Use two narrow spacing pins of Window Tool (2)
to align it to the two holes of Window Locking
Ring (4) and unscrew.
Reassemble the bottom window as shown in the
opposite diagram.
1
2
3
Silicon
rubber
rings
W22G Glass
(22x0.17mm)
2
4
Silicon
rubber
rings
W22Q
quartz
(22x0.5)

18
Replacing the Microscope Slide
Holder
Use a flat screw diver and remove the screw (1).
Take out the Microscope Slide holder from the
XY Manipulator Assemble(2)
Do the reverse to replace the LTS420 with a new
Microscope Slide Holder. Make sure the 2 holes
on the holder are lined up with the two notches
(2) on the XY Manipulator Assembly.
Note: when fitted properly the Microscope Slide
Holder should not touch the silver heating block
(4), the holder should hover about 1mm above it.
If the holder is touching the heating block or
hovers too high, remove screw (1) and turn the
Microscope Slide Holder over.
Note: the Microscope Slide Holder can be bent
with a little force into shape to help.
1
3

19
LTSE420 with Internal Electri-
cal Contacts Option
Only read the following if the stage is supplied
with internal electrical contacts for the LTSE420
or Liquid Crystal Pro Stage.
The stage is supplied with two internal electrical
contact connectors (1) wired to an external Lemo
connector (2).
1
2
LTSE420 Stage

20
Using the Internal Electrical Contact
The internal electrical contact has a self-closing
spring loaded pin (1).
Using a finger tip push in the pin to open the
electrical contact and insert a wire into the contact
(2).
Release the finger when the wire is in place.
1
2