DEVELOPMENT OF A SIMPLE ELECTROLYTIC JET THINNING APPARATUS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THIN METAL FOILS FOR TRANSMISSION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY

A very simple and inexpensive electrolytic jet thinning apparatus for rapid thinning of metal foils for transmission electron microscopy has been described. Regarding the specimen holder assembly, either a poly tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) holder or a platinum tipped locking tweezer -type holder, can be attached electrically and mechanically to a micro manipulator to be used in the same jet thinning apparatus. This gives a unique feature to our unit, in which the specimen remains above the electrolyte during the polishing process. Also the constructional simp licity of the unit provides easy drainage of the electrolyte for lengt hy polishing and a simple way of stopping the thinning process. Transm ission electron micrographs of bombarded and unbombarded specimens ele ctrothinned in the unit are presented herein.