SII Vortex-EM User manual

Vortex-EM®
Silicon Drift Detector X-Ray
Spectrometer for Electron Microscope Applications
User’s Manual
Rev. 14 October 1, 2008
SII NanoTechnology USA Inc
19865 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91324
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

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This manual is the property of SII NanoTechnology USA Inc. (SNTUS), and may not be copied or
reproduced in any manner or form without the prior written consent of SNTUS.
This manual and the data herein are subject to change at any time without notification.

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Table of Contents
1. General Instructions............................................................................................3
2. Safety and Precautions........................................................................................3
2.1 Detector atmospheric thin window (ATW)..................................................3
2.2 Detector biases.................................................................................................3
2.3 Mechanical shock............................................................................................4
2.4 Turning the system ON/OFF .........................................................................4
3. System Description.............................................................................................4
3.1 SDD package....................................................................................................5
3.2 Digital pulse processor (DPP) and power supply (PS)................................6
3.3 Cables ...............................................................................................................9
3.4 Preamplifier...................................................................................................10
3.5 Software .........................................................................................................11
4. Operation...........................................................................................................12
4.1 Setting up for operation................................................................................12
4.2 Collecting x-ray spectra................................................................................13
4.3 Powering down the system...........................................................................13
4.4 Turning the system ON/OFF when not in use............................................13
5. Trouble shooting ................................................................................................13
5.1 The spectrum cannot be acquired...............................................................13
5.2 Poor energy resolution and/or noisy ...........................................................14
6. Technical Support..............................................................................................14
7. Inspection and Acceptance................................................................................14
8. General Warranty..............................................................................................15

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1. General Instructions
•The detector arrives with an external battery connected to the DB-15 connector of the
silicon drift detector (SDD) package. This external battery should be disconnected
after arriving at the final location and the SDD package should be connected to the
power line through the external +12 V DC wall transformer. The SDD package
should be connected to the power line at all times. However, if necessary, it is
acceptable to disconnect it from the power line for up to 100 hours.
•The Atmospheric Thin Window (ATW) in the front of the probe is only 3000 Å thick,
thus great care must be taken to ensure that nothing comes in contact with it. Cover
the edge of the probe with the protective plastic cover when not in use.
•The SDD package must be mounted with the snout in the horizontal position, or tilted
so that the detector end of the snout is facing down. Do not mount the SDD package
into a position such that the detector end of the snout is tilted up.
•The system can be stored at room temperature without any special care, but it is
recommended that it be stored in a location with low humidity.
•List of delivered items:
- SDD package
- Digital Pulse Processor and/or Power Supply
- Main biasing cable
- Output signal BNC cable
- +12 V DC wall transformer
- User’s Manual CD
- Software installation CD
2. Safety and Precautions
2.1 Detector atmospheric thin window (ATW)
•The ATW at the front of the detector probe is extremely thin and fragile. Never
touch, jar, or subject the detector window to thermal shock.
•Never allow any object to come in contact with the ATW!
•If breakage of the ATW does occur, return the product to SNTUS for repair.
2.2 Detector biases
Be sure that the detector biases are correctly set (see bias specifications pertaining to
individual units). Excessively high bias might damage the detector crystal and/or the field effect
transistor (FET). The detector is supplied with the electronics box (which includes the power
supply and/or digital pulse processor (DPP)), in which the biases were set at SNTUS should not

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be altered. However, measure the biases to ensure that the correct values have been maintained
during shipping. Contact SNTUS if the biases do not match the data sheet.
2.3 Mechanical shock
The system is a relatively rugged device. However, traumatic handling, such as falling
onto the floor from a bench height, can definitely cause damage. If not attached to an SEM, keep
the detector in a safe place to prevent accidental mistreatment.
2.4 Turning the system ON/OFF
Do not turn the system ON immediately after turning it OFF! As with most electronic
systems, there is a momentary recharging process that takes place after rebooting the system. It is
therefore important to wait ~ 3 minutes before turning the system back ON.
Unless it is necessary, avoid turning the detector OFF after it has been turned ON for at
least three minutes after it has reached its stable operating temperature.
Never turn OFF the external +12 V DC wall transformer!
2.5 Operation in noisy environments
The Vortex® instruments are specifically designed to be extremely sensitive to very low
signal levels. Thus, if the Vortex®is operating in an electrically “noisy” environment, or if it is
subjected to abnormal electro-magnetic interference, it may not operate properly. These
conditions are extremely rare, and would not be expected to be encountered under normal
operating conditions in a laboratory environment. However, if you suspect you are observing
electro-magnetic interference effects, contact technical support at SNTUS to determine the
solution.
3. System Description
The system is comprised of three main parts: the SDD package, the digital pulse processor
(DPP) electronics box and cables (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. The Vortex-EM®system, including the SDD package and the DPP electronics box
(connecting cables not shown).

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3.1 SDD package
The SDD package includes the vacuum chamber and the preamplifier box. The vacuum
chamber is sealed with an thin window (refer to section 2.1) and includes the SDD detector, the
thermoelectric cooler (TEC) and the first amplification stage field effect transistor (FET). The
preamplifier box includes the preamplifier, the temperature controller circuit, the ion pump with
the ion pump power supply and the electrical connections. The SDD package weighs 3.8 kg. The
SDD package is shown in Figure 2, with external dimensions shown in Figure 4.
The preamplifier box back panel includes the DB-15, BNC and power jack connectors,
two test points and one LED, as shown in Figure 3. The DB-15 connector is for the detector
power supply and the BNC connector is for the signal output. The test point “T” is for the SDD
temperature testing. The power jack is for the external +12 V DC wall transformer that is for
supplying the ion pump power. The test point IP is for testing the ion pump current. The LED is
lit when power is supplied to the ion pump from the external +12 V DC wall transformer.
Figure 2. Vortex-EM®SDD package.
Figure 3. Vortex-EM®back panel.

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493MM
61MM
30.5MM
6X
6-32 UNC-2B X 7.6MM DP
(MOUNTING HOLES)
Ø19.1MM
BOTTOM VIEW 127.5MM
49.5MM 41.2MM
84.3MM
338MM
309MM
99.1MM
FRONT VIEW
134.6MM
48.3MM
155MM
15 PIN SUB-D
CONNECTOR
REAR VIEW
155MM
Ø70MM
Ø86MM
BNC CONNECTOR
Figure 4. Vortex-EM ®SDD package with external dimensions (in mm).
3.2 Digital pulse processor (DPP) and power supply (PS)
3.2.1 DPP with PS
Two options are provided to the customer: (1) If the customer has purchased a DPP, the
PS is included in the DPP electronics box; or (2) if the customer chooses to use his own DPP,
then the PS is supplied separately (see section 3.2.2). The DPP/PS electronics box includes the
DPP, the detector power supply that provides four separate bias voltages to the SDD and power
supplies that provide power to the TEC and to the rest of the electronics. The front and the back
panels of the DPP/PS electronics box are shown in Figures 5 and 6, respectively. The DPP/PS
electronics box has external dimensions of 220.2 x 152.4 x 87.63 mm3 (L x W x H) and the
weight is 2.2 kg.

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Figure 5. Front panel of DPP/PS electronics box.
Figure 6. Back panel of DPP/PS electronics box.
On the front panel of the DPP/PS electronics box (Figure 5) are the high voltage (HV)
light-emitting diode (LED) and the TEC (green/red) LED:
•HV LED is lit when the system is ON and the detector is normally biased.
•TEC LED is red a couple of minutes after turning the system ON and it is

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indicating that the detector is cooling down.
•TEC LED is green when the detector cooling process is complete and the
detector is functioning normally.
There are another three LED status lights on the DPP/PS electronics box front panel (Figure 5):
•Status (red LED): This LED is lit when the DPP has detected an error condition.
This LED also flashes briefly when the DPP operating parameters are changed.
•I/O (yellow LED): Flashes for data transfers.
•Rate (Bicolor (Green/Red) LED): This LED flashes in a 5 ms duration whenever
a reset is detected. If the reset rate exceeds 200 Hz, the LED will be on
continuously. The color of the LED indicates the relative throughput of the system
as follows:
•If the output count rate (OCR) is greater than 50% of the input count rate
(ICR), then the LED is green.
•If 1/e < OCR/ICR < 0.5, then the LED is orange (green + red), where e is
the exponential base.
•If OCR/ICR < 1/e, then the LED is red. This is roughly the point of
maximum throughput.
On the back panel of the DPP/PS electronics box (Figure 6) are the ON/OFF switch, the
detector power connector, the detector bias regulating points, the parallel port and the detector
output connectors.
3.2.2 PS electronics box
If a DPP was not purchased by the customer, then a separate power supply provides four
separate bias voltages to the SDD and also provides power to the TEC and to the rest of the
electronics. The front and the back panels of the PS electronics box are shown in Figures 7 and 8,
respectively. The PS electronics box dimensions are 2 x 203.2 x 61.7 mm3 (L x W x H), and the
weight is 1.6 kg.

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TEC DETECTOR
VORTEX POWER SUPPLY
Figure 7. Front panel of PS electronics box.
Figure 8. Back panel of PS electronics box.
There are two LEDs on the front panel of the PS electronics box. One indicated as
“detector” and turns red whenever the power supply is ON. The other is the “TEC” LED, which
turns red when power is ON, and then, changes to green (through a yellow stage) in a process
that takes approximately 2 minutes. The detector is ready to work (has reached its optimal
temperature) when the LED is turned green.
3.3 Cables
The cables are shown in Figure 9, with the cable edges physically labeled as “main
biasing cable” and “out BNC” cable.

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Figure 9. Signal and power cables.
3.4 Preamplifier
The preamplifier is a charge-sensitive preamplifier, which is optimized to work with a
transistor-reset FET. The output signal from the preamplifier is a step wave function with its
height proportional to the energy of the incident photon (~1.7 mV per 1 keV photon energy), as
is shown in Figure 10. The mV/keV ratio can be modified per customer’s request, if required.
With an x-ray source applied, the preamplifier output signal consists of positive steps
superimposed on an irregularly spaced ramp of positive slope, as is shown in Figure 11. The
negative reset duration is about 0.6 µs. The ramp voltage range is from ~ -2 V to ~ +2 V.
Figure 10. Oscilloscope trace of preamplifier output step pulse, including noise. Height of
the step is proportional to the x-ray energy.

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Figure 11. Oscilloscope trace of preamplifier output signal when x-ray source is applied.
3.5 Software
The DPP electronics box comes with the PI-Spec software specifically designed to work
with the Vortex-EMTM detector and the DPP electronics. Using this software, the user can
acquire, open/save, export/import spectra or manipulate a spectrum to view its details and
evaluate peak resolution.
To run this software, the computer must be a Pentium III or higher, with at least 64 MB
RAM and at least 100 MB hard drive free space. The operating system could be Windows
98/ME, NT/2000 or Windows XP.
To meet certain customers’ needs, we offer another type of software – the VTXDLL
(Dynamic Link Library)- which serves as an intermediate layer between the host software and
the DPP driver. The objectives are to encapsulate, or wrap up, the otherwise complicated DPP
setup procedures and also to optimize the DPP performance under widely varying conditions.
The host software can use it as a shortcut to interface with the DPP without knowing anything
about the latter. This software is available under a specific License Agreement.
The software (PI-Spec and VTXDLL) comes with an automated installer. The PI-
Spec/VTXDLL User’s Manuals and detailed instructions are provided in the form of Microsoft
Word documents, which can be found in the program folder created by the installer. For further
information the reader is referred to the PI-Spec/VTXDLL User’s Manuals.

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4. Operation
Make sure that the external +12 V DC wall transformer is connected to the power
line and the LED on the detector back panel is lit all the time. Check that the voltage at the
ion pump IP test point does not exceed -3 V. Usually the IP test point voltage is less than -0.3 V.
4.1 Setting up for operation
•Connect the appropriate ends of the cables to the preamplifier box back panel
connectors shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12. Vortex-EMTM DPP/PS (blue box), SDD package and computer.
- Main biasing cable connects to the D-Sub 15 pin connector including: Detector
Bias, TEC and preamplifier power.
- Output cable to Preamp Out.
•Connect the other end of the cables to the back of the electronics box:
-D-Sub 15 pin connector to Detector Power.
- Output cable to Detector Output connector on the back of the electronics box with
DPP, or to an input connector of another vendor’s pulse processor
•Connect to a computer:
- One end of the “male-to-male” parallel port cable to the parallel
port of the electronics box
- Other end of this cable to the parallel port on the computer.

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•Plug the power cable of the electronics box into the wall outlet.
•Turn the electronics box ON/OFF switch to ON and wait a 2-3 minutes until the
TEC LED is lit green.
4.2 Collecting x-ray spectra
Refer to the “PI-Spec User’s Manual”, which can be found in the PI-Spec program folder,
for instructions on how to collect the x-ray spectra.
4.3 Powering down the system
Turn the electronics box ON/OFF switch to OFF to power down the system. The detector
can be turned back ON after ~ 3 minutes.
4.4 Turning the system ON/OFF when not in use
It is recommended to turn the system OFF when it is not in use, to prevent damage to the
detector due to power failure or mechanical shock, but do not unplug the external +12 V DC
wall transformer from the wall outlet. The LED on the detector back panel should be lit all
the time.
Do not turn the system ON immediately after turning it OFF! As with most electronic
systems, there is a momentary recharging process that takes place after rebooting the system. It is
therefore important to wait ~ 3 minutes before turning the system back ON.
Unless it is absolutely necessary, avoid turning the detector OFF after turning if ON for at
least three minutes after it reaches its stable operating temperature.
5. Trouble shooting
5.1 The spectrum cannot be acquired
Connect the system to an oscilloscope as shown in Figure 13. Use the electronics box for
supplying the biases, and disconnect the input cable (BNC) from the box and connect it to an
analog amplifier, as is shown in Figure 13. Turn on the system as described in Section 4.1.
Monitor the output of the preamplifier with the oscilloscope. Continue according to the
instructions in the following sections.
Detector
Package
Electronic
Box
Analog
Amplifier Oscilloscope
Power Cable
Output Cable (BNC)
Input
Output
Figure 13. Schematic of detector connections for trouble-shooting.

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5.1.1 Preamplifier does not ramp up in voltage
If the preamplifier does not ramp up (as shown in Figure 10), but stays at the ~ 0 V or
< 0 V, check the electronics box cable connections to the preamplifier. If the cable is connected
properly, but still the preamplifier does not ramp up in voltage, then the FET or preamplifier may
be defective. If this is the case, contact SNTUS to return the system for repair.
5.1.2 Preamplifier output is always positive
Make sure the window is covered and not exposed to light! If the preamplifier output is
still positive, and is not resetting, as shown in Figure 11, check all the cable connections to
ensure proper connection and proper bias conditions. If the cables are connected properly, but
still the preamplifier output stays positive, then the detector or FET, and/or the preamplifier, may
be defective. If this is the case, contact SNTUS to return the system for repair.
5.2 Poor energy resolution and/or noisy
If the energy resolution is poor, or the spectrum is otherwise noisy, ensure that all the
cables are properly and tightly connected. If the cables are connected properly, but the energy
resolution does not improve, the detector may not be cold enough. Check the temperature test
point at the back panel of the preamp. If the temperature test point measures < 1.5 V, the
detector is not cold enough. If this is the case, contact SNTUS to return the system for repair.
Poor energy resolution may also occur if the correct biases are not being supplied to the
detector, in which case you should also contact SNTUS for a consultation.
6. Technical Support
Please contact SII NanoTechnology USA Inc. (SNTUS) for technical support or
additional information: (818)-280-0745
7. Inspection and Acceptance
Purchaser shall inspect all products immediately upon delivery and shall, within seven (7)
calendar days, give written notice to the common carrier and SII NanoTechnology USA Inc. of
any claim for damages or shortages. Purchaser shall give written notice to SII NanoTechnology
USA Inc. within thirty (30) calendar days of delivery in the event that any products do not
conform with or meet SII Nanotechnology USA’s Product Specifications. If Purchaser gives the
aforementioned thirty day notice, then at SII Nanotechnology USA’s option it may at its own
expense either repair the product at Purchaser’s facility, or require Purchaser to freight prepaid,
promptly return the defective products to SII Nanotechnology USA. SII NanoTechnology USA
Inc. will at its option either repair or replace the properly rejected products that are returned and
ship it freight prepaid back to Purchaser, or credit Purchaser for any products so returned, but
will have no other liability in respect thereof. SII NanoTechnology USA Inc. shall not be liable
to Purchaser for amounts representing loss of profits, loss of business or indirect, incidental,
consequential or punitive damages of Purchaser. If Purchaser fails to give any such notice, the
products shall be deemed accepted for all purposes.

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8. General Warranty
SELLER WARRANTS ITS PRODUCTS AGAINST DEFECTS IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP IN
NORMAL USE FOR THE PERIOD OF ONE (1) YEAR. THIS ONE-YEAR PERIOD BEGINS ON THE DAY OF
INSTALLATION OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER DELIVERY TO THE PLACE OF INSTALLATION, WHICHEVER
IS EARLIER. THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES (OTHER THAN TITLE),
ARISING BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE IN LAW OR FROM A COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE
OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
SELLER'S LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIM OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
NEGLIGENCE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, OR RESULTING FROM
ANY SALE, OR FROM THE PERFORMANCE OR BREACH OF A SALES CONTRACT, OR FROM THE DESIGN,
MANUFACTURE, SALE, DELIVERY, RESALE, INSTALLATION, TECHNICAL DIRECTION OF INSTALLATION,
INSPECTION, REPAIR, OPERATION OR USE OF ANY EQUIPMENT COVERED BY OR FURNISHED UNDER A
SALES ORDER), SHALL IN NO CASE EXCEED THE PRICE ALLOCABLE TO THE EQUIPMENT OR UNIT
THEREOF WHICH GIVES RISE TO THE CLAIM. NOR SHALL ANY LIABILITY OF ANY KIND EXTEND OR
ARISE BEYOND FOUR (4) YEARS FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF INSTALLATION OF THE
EQUIPMENT.
NOR SHALL SELLER BE LIABLE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WHETHER AS
A RESULT OF BREACH OF CONTRACT OR TORT OR WARRANTY OR ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE OR
OTHERWISE, FOR INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER SIMILAR
DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUE, BUSINESS
INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF USE OF THE EQUIPMENT OR ANY ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT, COST OF
CAPITAL, COST OF SUBSTITUTE EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES OR SERVICES, DOWN TIME COSTS OR CLAIMS
OF CUSTOMERS OF THE PURCHASER OR THIRD PARTIES FOR DAMAGES, EVEN IF SELLER HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THOSE DAMAGES OR THEY ARE FORESEEABLE. SELLERS LIABILITY
IS FURTHER EXPRESSLY CONDITIONED UPON COMPANY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
AND OPERATING LIMITATIONS BEING ADHERED TO AND PERFORMED ON THE PRODUCTS.
WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, IT IS EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED THAT
EACH AND EVERY PROVISION OF THIS DOCUMENT THAT PROVIDES FOR A LIMITATION OF LIABILITY,
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES, OR EXCLUSION OF DAMAGES IS INTENDED TO BE SEVERABLE AND
INDEPENDENT OF ANY OTHER PROVISION AND TO BE ENFORCED AS SUCH. FURTHER, IT IS EXPRESSLY
UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED THAT IN THE EVENT ANY REMEDY HEREUNDER IS DETERMINED TO HAVE
FAILED ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE, ALL OTHER LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND EXCLUSION OF
DAMAGES SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT. ALL SUCH PROVISIONS
SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OF ANY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELLER AND PURCHASER.
The printed terms and conditions of any purchase order or other correspondence of
Purchaser or any vendor/reseller in connection with which Purchaser acquires the Product shall
not apply, insofar as they seek to modify the liability limitations and disclaimers set-forth in this
Section 12.0. To enable Seller to properly administer its warranty obligations, Purchaser shall
(a) notify Seller promptly in writing of any claims, (b) provide Seller with the opportunity to
inspect and test each item claimed to be defective. This inspection may be on Purchaser's
premises or Seller may request return of the product at Purchaser's expense. Such expense will
be subsequently reimbursed to Purchaser if the product is found to be defective. Adjustment is
contingent upon Seller's examination disclosing that apparent defects have not been caused by
misuse, abuse, improper application, repair, alteration, accident or negligence in use, storage,
transportation or handling; and that the original identification markings have not been removed,
defaced or altered. This limited warranty is not assignable by Purchaser (except as incident to a
financing arrangement or other special transaction the Seller has approved). Geographic
relocation of a product during the warranty period may result in exclusion of the product from
further warranty coverage. ANY MODIFICATION, UNAUTHORIZED INSTALLATION, SETUP OR
SERVICING/REPAIR OF THE PRODUCTS BY ANY PERSONS OTHER THAN SELLER OR SELLERS
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL VOID THIS WARRANTY.