Arctis Cryo Plasma-FIB Features

The Arctis Cryo-PFIB can switch between three ion species (xenon, argon, and oxygen) thanks to its fast switchable plasma ion source, offering outstanding performance for large volume material removal as well as precision milling. PFIB technology enables applications not covered by liquid metal ion source (LMIS) FIB systems. For example, it is possible to use the different milling properties of the three available ion beams to produce a high-quality lamella while avoiding gallium implantation effects.

The Arctis Cryo-PFIB includes an integrated wide-field fluorescence light microscope (Thermo Scientific iFLM Correlative System), which enables fluorescence imaging at the electron/ion beam coincidence point. Fluorescence imaging for targeting, intermediate verification, and final target confirmation can easily be done before, in-between, and after the ion milling without moving the stage. The iFLM is set up for epifluorescent imaging and can be used in reflection and fluorescence mode; the 180° alpha tilt capability of the CompuStage allows imaging of the top and bottom surfaces of the sample, which can be helpful for thick samples.

The Arctis Cryo-PFIB comes with an environmental enclosure and integrated service hoist. A system height of 2.6 meters allows the instrument to fit into standard laboratories. The enclosure surface is designed to be easily wiped down, and for higher biosafety level labs, a 60C heat decontamination solution for biosafety labs (e.g. BSL-3) is available.

The Autoloader enables robotic sample loading and unloading for up to 12 grids (TomoGrids or AutoGrids), facilitating transfer to the cryo-TEM while minimizing sample damage and contamination risks. In the new web-based user interface loaded grids are first mapped and inspected. Subsequently, lamella positions are chosen, and milling parameters are defined. Milling work is carried out autonomously. Depending on the specimen, the plasma source enables high milling rates for fast, large-volume material removal.

The Autoloader cassette provides a protected environment for the delicate cryo-lamellae samples. The cassette is loaded into a capsule docked to the Autoloader, which can be interchanged between the Arctis Cryo-PFIB and  Krios or Glacios Cryo-TEMs.

Specially designed TomoGrids are specifically made for the cryo-tomography workflow and have two flat sides facing each other. These sides prevent misalignment during loading into the cryo-TEM and always ensure proper orientation of the lamella axis with respect to the TEM tilt axis. With TomoGrids, the entire available lamella area can be utilized for data acquisition.

The Arctis Cryo-PFIB is designed for fast, reliable, and reproducible production of in-situ cryo-lamellae. Once the samples have been loaded, the lamella production process can be set up remotely from a web-based control interface. You can batch-screen grids, perform correlative imaging, and set up lamella preparation for multiple sites on multiple grids. This will then be executed autonomously via automated milling software.