Hitachi High-Tech Unveils New Tabletop Microscopes

Hitachi High-Tech Corporation has globally launched its TM4000PlusIII and TM4000III Tabletop Microscopes, both of which are equipped with support features for automation and stable operation.

The TM Series shrinks the electron microscope to a tabletop-mountable size. Due to their compact dimensions and relatively easy installation, desktop microscopes are widely used not only for R&D, but also in quality control at manufacturing sites, science education at schools, and other purposes. In manufacturing environments in particular, there is a need to increase the efficiency of observation tasks and streamline operations so users with limited expertise can easily observe a large number of samples.
 
The TM4000PlusIII is equipped with automation support features that enable users to create recipes for numerous conditions. Recipes can control functions such as stage position adjustment and magnification, which previously had to be manually configured every time for each sample. In addition, the TM4000PlusIII is equipped with maintenance features to facilitate consistent observation. One such function is a monitoring system that checks the condition of the tungsten filament* and graphically reports its condition. Since tungsten filaments require regular replacement, this function allows users to track the filament lifetime and plan ahead with maintenance tasks to allow for smooth and consistent tool operation.
 
The TM Series facilitates high-precision observation and analysis, even in limited installation space. Recently, the TM Series has contributed to environmental conservation and human health by helping develop environmentally friendly materials and their manufacturing processes, as well as analyzing harmful substances in the atmosphere. In manufacturing environments, the trend of decreasing feature size and stricter quality control has led to an increase in the number of SEM users. However, not all new users have specialized knowledge and operating skills. Amidst this trend, Hitachi High-Tech developed the TM4000PlusIII and TM4000III to have this sought-after optimization and simplification of observation tasks to help acquire high-precision data without any variability, regardless of the microscopes’ operator or his/her expertise level.
 
Key Features
Making Tasks More Efficient
The automation support feature with the TM4000PlusIII allows for observation procedures such as stage movement, magnification changes, and imaging, to be saved as recipes. They can then be executed to run automatically with a single click. This makes operations more efficient and standardizes techniques among users. This is beneficial for those looking to automate routine tasks and for users who are concerned about manually configuring observation conditions. The TM4000PlusIII also features a setting for high-current mode, which enables faster operations due to the increased observation signal. For example, in particle analysis a large number of measurement points are required, and this can be very time consuming to collect. The high-current function shortens measurement time for each location while reducing the overall time involved in such tasks.

Plan Ahead with the Filament Monitoring Function
The microscopes come equipped with new support features to ensure they can be used with peace of mind at all times. One example is the filament indicator feature, which allows users to track the filament life on screen, preventing the interruption of observations due to filament replacements occurring mid-observation.
 
Ideal for Educational Purposes
The TM Series is equipped with low-vacuum and high-sensitivity backscattered electron detectors, which eliminate the need for complicated pre-treatment processes. This makes it possible to conduct observations on various samples with ease, enabling the TM Series to be used for educational purposes.
 
Additionally, as digital skill development becomes a critical subject in educational settings, the TM4000PlusIII allows users to experience and learn important programming concepts such as “sequential execution,” “repetition,” and “conditional branching” via the automation support features.
 
Headquartered in Tokyo, Hitachi High-Tech is engaged in activities in various fields, including manufacturing and selling clinical analyzers, biotechnology products, radiation therapy systems, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, analytical instruments, and analysis equipment. The company’s FY23 consolidated revenues totaled roughly 670.4 billion yen. 

* Tungsten filaments: A single part used in an electron microscope’s electron gun. They are typically made by bending a thin wire made of tungsten, which is a highly heat-resistant metal, into a hairpin-like shape and connecting it to an electrode. The tungsten filament emits an electron beam when heated.