All modern Si(Li) detectors suffer from a little known problem of ice build up on the detector crystal. Ice forms on the cold crystal due to the migration and condensation of any water molecules in the detector vacuum. With today's low vacuum SEM's working with increasingly "dirtier" vacuums, the potential for this type of contamination is greatly increased.

To condition your detector, follow these instructions:

1.

Launch the INCA Trending Utility software using the icon at the bottom right hand corner of your PC Screen.

2.

Select "Options" and from the drop down menu "Monitor Options", then "Thermal Control".

3.

The Detector Thermal Control panel will be displayed.

4.

Click on the "Condition" button to automatically start conditioning your detector. The system will inform you that the detector is conditioning. This process takes approximately two hours during which time a message will be displayed and the detector cannot be used.

5.

At the end of the process, various screen messages will be displayed and the equipment is then ready for use.

6.

Your INCAEnergy system is now fully conditioned.

7.

We recommend conditioning your detector if using tests such as CrLl/CrLa or NiLa/Ka show the presence of ice on your detector. After successfully conditioning your detector, we now recommend calibrating your discriminators (see INCA Tip No.3 in January 2006)