This enables the analysis of liquids, biological material and "wet" food products to be analysed in the SEM.
This is done by first plunging the sample into nitrogen slush and the transferring the sample into the cryo-chamber.
Subequently the sample is allowed to warm, thus allowing the ice to shrink and reveal the sample surface. Fracturing can also be performed at this point if needed.
The sample will then be sputter coated in platinum to become conductive and transferred into the SEM chamber, where it remains frozen on another cold-stage.
The minimum operating temperature for this technique is -140°.
