Getting Started
Instrument access and training
SIF’s sophisticated instruments are available to internal and external academic researchers, as well as industrial partners.
All users have access to our professional staff for training. Training varies by instrument, but usually starts with a group training session, followed by a one-on-one session in which the user demonstrates their ability to safely operate the instrument. While our laboratory staff are available for consultation and troubleshooting, we cannot provide training in underlying theory of analytical techniques or details of specimen preparation methods. We recommend that users have some background in pertinent analytical techniques before using SIF tools.
Although we are primarily a user facility, laboratory staff members are available to perform analysis for external customers for an additional technical assistance fee.
- All users must register in the Mines Facility Online Manager (FOM) to schedule training and time on an instrument.
- After registering in FOM, request training by clicking on the name of the instrument on the right side of your FOM home page.
- External users will also need to complete a use agreement before accessing instruments. Please contact the relevant instrument manager to start this process.
Internal Users
- Go to the Mines login on the FOM website: https://mines.fomnetworks.com/fom/
- Select “Click here to login with Mines Multipass ID”
- If the new user registration box does not automatically pop up, go back one screen and select “Click here to login in with FOM username and password” and then click on “I am new user”. Be sure to select the “Internal User” radio button at the top.
- Fill in the information in the boxes on the registration page (you can ignore the boxes for Account Payable Contact and Fed Tax ID#)
- Select your advisor from the Supervisor list
- Be sure to complete the spam protection exercise at the bottom
- Click the Submit button
- Each internal Mines user will need to enter at least one charge code on the My Accounts page – this is the 6-digit Banner code for your project (please make sure the account has not expired and has adequate funding available)
- You can then request training on any instrument by selecting it from the list on the right side of the User Home window
External Users
- Go to this web page: https://mines.fomnetworks.com/fom/
- If you don’t arrive at the sign-in page for Mines, select “Mines” from the list
- Select “Click here to login with FOM username and password”
- Click on “I am a new user”
- Select the “External User” radio button at the top and then select “Shared Instrumentation Facility” from the drop down list. Please fill in the rest of the information (note that the last box is a security measure that requires you to add the digits of the number shown and type that sum into the box)
- You can then go to the My Accounts page and set up accounts for invoicing. Different accounts will be invoiced separately. We suggest using a PO number for the account number if you have one set up internally, but this is at your discretion. The account number will appear on the invoice.
- Once you complete the steps above, you can request access to specific instruments on your Home page – just click on the names in the column on the right.
- Please review Mines current safety training: Mines Lab Safety
AutoGlow Ion Etcher
View video: AutoGlow Ion Etcher SOP
CAMECA LEAP 4000X SI
Billing schedule:
Charges are invoiced at the end of each calendar month. Internal charges are directly uploaded to Banner.
Supervisors should review charges in FOM each month to limit the need for manual adjustments after charges have been uploaded. Users may contact the facility director to discuss any disputed charges.
Rates are published on the website and calculated in consultation with the Controller’s office.
There is a minimum charge of 15 minutes of use.
Instrument Access:
FOM automatically disables scheduling access to this instrument for a user who has not used the instrument in over one year. A user who wishes to regain access should schedule a refresher training session with the instrument manager.
Reservations:
Reservations are made in half-hour time increments.
There is no limit on the number of reserved hours.
The schedule is open for reservation 14 days in advance. If special circumstances require reserving a time further in advance, contact the instrument manager.
Daytime, Evening and Weekends:
There are currently no billing distinctions between day and evening use, however, in order to encourage the development of proficient users and not limit productive research, usage over 12 hours/month by one user on one project is charged at 30% of the hourly rate for this instrument.
Flexible start/end time:
Start/end time is calculated to the second so that you are billed for the actual instrument time you have used.
Unused reservation:
If user does not show up within 30 minutes after reserved start time, the reservation will be cancelled and another user may use the time period. The user who made the reservation will be charged a half hour no-show/late cancellation fee.
Cancelled reservation:
Users will not be charged if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the reserved time begins. Users will be charged the equivalent of a half hour of usage if the reservation is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance because this limits the ability of others to make use of available instrument time. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a medical emergency or inclement weather, the late cancellation fee will be waived.
If an instrument is down, users will not be charged for unused reservations and do not need to cancel their reservations.
Forgetting to login/logout:
Users should notify the instrument manager or leave a note in the FOM comments if they forgot to log in to FOM at the start of their session or forgot to log off FOM at the end of their session.
Report of equipment problem:
If an instrument is not functioning properly during the session, the user should notify the instrument manager as soon as possible. This can be done in person or in the comments in FOM. For reports in FOM, instrument managers will receive an email notice and address the problem as soon as possible. Instrument managers will also determine whether the usage charge should be reduced or waived due to the problem reported.
FEI Helios Nanolab FIB/SEM
Billing schedule:
Charges are invoiced at the end of each calendar month. Internal charges are directly uploaded to Banner.
Supervisors should review charges in FOM each month to limit the need for manual adjustments after charges have been uploaded. Users may contact the facility director to discuss any disputed charges.
Rates are published on the website and calculated in consultation with the Controller’s office.
There is a minimum charge of 15 minutes of use.
Instrument Access:
FOM automatically disables scheduling access to this instrument for a user who has not used the instrument in over one year. A user who wishes to regain access should schedule a refresher training session with the instrument manager.
Reservations:
Reservations are made in half-hour time increments.
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, daytime weekday reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For the Helios this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
The schedule is open for reservation 14 days in advance. If special circumstances require reserving a time further in advance, contact the instrument manager.
A user can immediately access an unreserved instrument during the day (via express logon) regardless of other reservation limitations.
Daytime, Evening and Weekends:
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, weekday daytime reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For most instruments this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
There are currently no billing distinctions between day and evening use, however, in order to encourage the development of proficient users and not limit productive research, usage over 12 hours/month by one user on one project is charged at 30% of the hourly rate for this instrument.
Flexible start/end time:
Start/end time is calculated to the second so that you are billed for the actual instrument time you have used.
Unused reservation:
If user does not show up within 30 minutes after reserved start time, the reservation will be cancelled and another user may use the time period. The user who made the reservation will be charged a half hour no-show/late cancellation fee.
Cancelled reservation:
Users will not be charged if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the reserved time begins. Users will be charged the equivalent of a half hour of usage if the reservation is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance because this limits the ability of others to make use of available instrument time. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a medical emergency, the late cancellation fee will be waived.
If an instrument is down, users will not be charged for unused reservations and do not need to cancel their reservations.
Forgetting to login/logout:
Users should notify the instrument manager or leave a note in the FOM comments if they forgot to log in to FOM at the start of their session or forgot to log off FOM at the end of their session.
Report of equipment problem:
If an instrument is not functioning properly during the session, the user should notify the instrument manager as soon as possible. This can be done in person or in the comments in FOM. For reports in FOM, instrument managers will receive an email notice and address the problem as soon as possible. Instrument managers will also determine whether the usage charge should be reduced or waived due to the problem reported.
FEI Quanta 600i Environmental SEM
Billing schedule:
Charges are invoiced at the end of each calendar month. Internal charges are directly uploaded to Banner.
Supervisors should review charges in FOM each month to limit the need for manual adjustments after charges have been uploaded. Users may contact the facility director to discuss any disputed charges.
Rates are published on the website and calculated in consultation with the Controller’s office.
There is a minimum charge of 15 minutes of use.
Reservations:
Reservations are made in half-hour time increments.
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, daytime weekday reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For the Quanta this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
The schedule is open for reservation 14 days in advance. If special circumstances require reserving a time further in advance, contact the instrument manager.
A user can immediately access an unreserved instrument during the day (via express logon) regardless of other reservation limitations.
Daytime, Evening and Weekends:
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, weekday daytime reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For most instruments this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
There are currently no billing distinctions between day and evening use, however, in order to encourage the development of proficient users and not limit productive research, usage over 12 hours/month by one user on one project is charged at 30% of the hourly rate for this instrument.
Flexible start/end time:
Start/end time is calculated to the second so that you are billed for the actual instrument time you have used.
Unused reservation:
If user does not show up within 30 minutes after reserved start time, the reservation will be cancelled and another user may use the time period. The user who made the reservation will be charged a half hour no-show/late cancellation fee.
Cancelled reservation:
Users will not be charged if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the reserved time begins. Users will be charged the equivalent of a half hour of usage if the reservation is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance because this limits the ability of others to make use of available instrument time. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a medical emergency, the late cancellation fee will be waived.
If an instrument is down, users will not be charged for unused reservations and do not need to cancel their reservations.
Forgetting to login/logout:
Users should notify the instrument manager or leave a note in the FOM comments if they forgot to log in to FOM at the start of their session or forgot to log off FOM at the end of their session.
Report of equipment problem:
If an instrument is not functioning properly during the session, the user should notify the instrument manager as soon as possible. This can be done in person or in the comments in FOM. For reports in FOM, instrument managers will receive an email notice and address the problem as soon as possible. Instrument managers will also determine whether the usage charge should be reduced or waived due to the problem reported.
FEI Talos F200X TEM/STEM
Billing schedule:
Charges are invoiced at the end of each calendar month. Internal charges are directly uploaded to Banner.
Supervisors should review charges in FOM each month to limit the need for manual adjustments after charges have been uploaded. Users may contact the facility director to discuss any disputed charges.
Rates are published on the website and calculated in consultation with the Controller’s office.
There is a minimum charge of 15 minutes of use.
Instrument Access:
FOM automatically disables scheduling access to this instrument for a user who has not used the instrument in over one year. A user who wishes to regain access should schedule a refresher training session with the instrument manager.
Reservations:
Reservations are made in half-hour time increments.
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, daytime weekday reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For the Talos this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
The schedule is open for reservation 14 days in advance. If special circumstances require reserving a time further in advance, contact the instrument manager.
A user can immediately access an unreserved instrument during the day (via express logon) regardless of other reservation limitations.
Daytime, Evening and Weekends:
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, weekday daytime reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For most instruments this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
There are currently no billing distinctions between day and evening use, however, in order to encourage the development of proficient users and not limit productive research, usage over 12 hours/month by one user on one project is charged at 30% of the hourly rate for this instrument.
Flexible start/end time:
Start/end time is calculated to the second so that you are billed for the actual instrument time you have used.
Unused reservation:
If user does not show up within 30 minutes after reserved start time, the reservation will be cancelled and another user may use the time period. The user who made the reservation will be charged a half hour no-show/late cancellation fee.
Cancelled reservation:
Users will not be charged if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the reserved time begins. Users will be charged the equivalent of a half hour of usage if the reservation is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance because this limits the ability of others to make use of available instrument time. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a medical emergency, the late cancellation fee will be waived.
If an instrument is down, users will not be charged for unused reservations and do not need to cancel their reservations.
Forgetting to login/logout:
Users should notify the instrument manager or leave a note in the FOM comments if they forgot to log in to FOM at the start of their session or forgot to log off FOM at the end of their session.
Report of equipment problem:
If an instrument is not functioning properly during the session, the user should notify the instrument manager as soon as possible. This can be done in person or in the comments in FOM. For reports in FOM, instrument managers will receive an email notice and address the problem as soon as possible. Instrument managers will also determine whether the usage charge should be reduced or waived due to the problem reported.
FEI Tecnai T12
Billing schedule:
Charges are invoiced at the end of each calendar month. Internal charges are directly uploaded to Banner.
Supervisors should review charges in FOM each month to limit the need for manual adjustments after charges have been uploaded. Users may contact the facility director to discuss any disputed charges.
Rates are published on the website and calculated in consultation with the Controller’s office.
There is a minimum charge of 15 minutes of use.
Reservations:
Reservations are made in half-hour time increments.
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, daytime weekday reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For the Tecnai this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
The schedule is open for reservation 14 days in advance. If special circumstances require reserving a time further in advance, contact the instrument manager.
A user can immediately access an unreserved instrument during the day (via express logon) regardless of other reservation limitations.
Daytime, Evening and Weekends:
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, weekday daytime reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For most instruments this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
There are currently no billing distinctions between day and evening use, however, in order to encourage the development of proficient users and not limit productive research, usage over 12 hours/month by one user on one project is charged at 30% of the hourly rate for this instrument.
Flexible start/end time:
Start/end time is calculated to the second so that you are billed for the actual instrument time you have used.
Unused reservation:
If user does not show up within 30 minutes after reserved start time, the reservation will be cancelled and another user may use the time period. The user who made the reservation will be charged a half hour no-show/late cancellation fee.
Cancelled reservation:
Users will not be charged if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the reserved time begins. Users will be charged the equivalent of a half hour of usage if the reservation is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance because this limits the ability of others to make use of available instrument time. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a medical emergency, the late cancellation fee will be waived.
If an instrument is down, users will not be charged for unused reservations and do not need to cancel their reservations.
Forgetting to login/logout:
Users should notify the instrument manager or leave a note in the FOM comments if they forgot to log in to FOM at the start of their session or forgot to log off FOM at the end of their session.
Report of equipment problem:
If an instrument is not functioning properly during the session, the user should notify the instrument manager as soon as possible. This can be done in person or in the comments in FOM. For reports in FOM, instrument managers will receive an email notice and address the problem as soon as possible. Instrument managers will also determine whether the usage charge should be reduced or waived due to the problem reported.
KLA Tencor Profilometer
View video: Profilometer SOP
LCMS QTof (Twinky & Winky) and QTrap (Zinger)
Signing Up for Instrument Time on FOM:
Each user is allowed 4 days per month per instrument, unless days remain available week of
Maximum 3 consecutive weekdays are permitted (ie. can only run 4 consecutive days if Saturday/Sunday included, otherwise 4 days must be broken up)
In the event of instrument failure, the current user may re-run/resume their run and push back those scheduled, or choose upcoming available days
**Either way, please email an update of the error and your scheduling plans to the group at lc-ms@mines.edu
**If you opt to re-run on a later date…
1) You may NOT push back people scheduled later in the month if you choose to re-run on a later date, contact Erin at esedlack@mines.edu to reschedule
2) You MUST attempt to fix the instrument before turning over – if further troubleshooting is required, contact Erin to schedule an appt. with a service engineer
Routine cleanings take place on a rotating cycle for each instrument, generally occurring weekly on Thursdays – check the FOM calendar and do NOT schedule during a cleaning time
If there is a scheduling issue and you must run during a routine cleaning time, contact Erin in advance to make arrangements.
Proper Instrument Use:
Front end cleaning: always clean curtain plate before starting your run (unless the routine cleaning precedes your run)-Please only run quick tune (pos. or neg.) before your run, do NOT attempt long tune or any other tuning procedures, Note: may need to run twice if first does not pass
Clean up following your run – remove AND dispose of autosampler vials, remove your column and replace with fitting!
If the instrument fails during your run, please attempt to troubleshoot using tribleshoot document and lab manuals (if you cannot fix it, notify the listserv and Erin for further assistance)
Be aware of proper range of injection concentrations (~5,000pg/mL), Note: some compounds should not go over 500pg/mL (refer to PFAS SOP)
If your run finishes earlier than planned, please contact the next user on the calendar – see contact information here
Please log all autocal failures in the “Failure Report” sheet (**be sure to note which ion failed!)
Logging Your Time/Samples on FOM:
After each use, please update the log immediately following your run
The FOM calendar/log will be checked for discrepancies on a weekly basis
If you do not run as scheduled, please still make a note with your name on the calendar as to why you did not run
You must include index # for the correct project(s) for the samples being run **ie. if you are running samples for multiple projects, please list on two separate lines with the proper # of samples for each project (even if all on same run/date)
NOTE: there is a surcharge for running less than 20 samples in a run, but this will not apply if you join two runs into one but need to list on separate lines
Do NOT include calibration curves, method blanks, double blanks, and quality controls in your count, only analytical samples
You MUST include run information for your PI in the comment section
If you perform Method development ONLY and no analytical samples, please enter number of days instead of number of samples
If your run includes re-runs as a result of an instrument failure, these are not billed but please make a note that your run was “No charge re-runs,” or only count the number of “new” samples ran
Signing Up for Data Processing Time on Google Calendars:
Four data processing computers are available:
1) Natasha Data – IP address = 138.67.11.195 (User ID: Natasha, Password: Natashadata2019)
2) Winky Data – IP address = 138.67.24.231 (User ID: Winky500r, Password: Winkydata2019)
3) New Data Computer – IP address = 138.67.20.114 (User ID: Chris Higgins, Password: Newcomp2019)
4) Old Data Computer – IP address = 138.67.32.79 (User ID: Sciex1.4, Password: Data2019)
Maximum time allowed per data computer is 5 hours per session
You may NOT sign up for full days of processing on a single computer (unless it remains available day of), weekends included
If you end up not needing your sign-up session at the last-minute, please adjust the calendar immediately to update other users that it is available
Nanofabrication, Surface Characterization, Thin Film Deposition
“Training requests for Individual instruments should be made through FOM (https://mines.fomnetworks.com/fom/).
For Lab access to CoorsTek 040 or Hill Hall 310 &312, please complete this course: https://elearning.mines.edu/courses/12521 and e-mail Alex Dixon (agdixon@mines.edu) once you have completed it.
TESCAN S8252G RAMAN-SEM/FIB
Billing schedule:
Charges are invoiced at the end of each calendar month. Internal charges are directly uploaded to Banner.
Supervisors should review charges in FOM each month to limit the need for manual adjustments after charges have been uploaded. Users may contact the facility director to discuss any disputed charges.
Rates are published on the website and calculated in consultation with the Controller’s office.
There is a minimum charge of 15 minutes of use.
Instrument Access:
FOM automatically disables scheduling access to this instrument for a user who has not used the instrument in over one year. A user who wishes to regain access should schedule a refresher training session with the instrument manager.
Reservations:
Reservations are made in half-hour time increments.
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, daytime weekday reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For the S8252G this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
The schedule is open for reservation 14 days in advance. If special circumstances require reserving a time further in advance, contact the instrument manager.
A user can immediately access an unreserved instrument during the day (via express logon) regardless of other reservation limitations.
Daytime, Evening and Weekends:
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, weekday daytime reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For most instruments this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
There are currently no billing distinctions between day and evening use, however, in order to encourage the development of proficient users and not limit productive research, usage over 12 hours/month by one user on one project is charged at 30% of the hourly rate for this instrument.
Flexible start/end time:
Start/end time is calculated to the second so that you are billed for the actual instrument time you have used.
Unused reservation:
If user does not show up within 30 minutes after reserved start time, the reservation will be cancelled and another user may use the time period. The user who made the reservation will be charged a half hour no-show/late cancellation fee.
Cancelled reservation:
Users will not be charged if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the reserved time begins. Users will be charged the equivalent of a half hour of usage if the reservation is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance because this limits the ability of others to make use of available instrument time. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a medical emergency, the late cancellation fee will be waived.
If an instrument is down, users will not be charged for unused reservations and do not need to cancel their reservations.
Forgetting to login/logout:
Users should notify the instrument manager or leave a note in the FOM comments if they forgot to log in to FOM at the start of their session or forgot to log off FOM at the end of their session.
Report of equipment problem:
If an instrument is not functioning properly during the session, the user should notify the instrument manager as soon as possible. This can be done in person or in the comments in FOM. For reports in FOM, instrument managers will receive an email notice and address the problem as soon as possible. Instrument managers will also determine whether the usage charge should be reduced or waived due to the problem reported.
WiTec Laser Confocal Raman Microscope
Billing schedule:
Charges are invoiced at the end of each calendar month. Internal charges are directly uploaded to Banner.
Supervisors should review charges in FOM each month to limit the need for manual adjustments after charges have been uploaded. Users may contact the facility director to discuss any disputed charges.
Rates are published on the website and calculated in consultation with the Controller’s office.
There is a minimum charge of 15 minutes of use.
Reservations:
Reservations are made in half-hour time increments.
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, daytime weekday reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For the Confocal Raman Microscope this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
The schedule is open for reservation 14 days in advance. If special circumstances require reserving a time further in advance, contact the instrument manager.
A user can immediately access an unreserved instrument during the day (via express logon) regardless of other reservation limitations.
Daytime, Evening and Weekends:
In order to promote additional usage while still providing less frequent users adequate access, weekday daytime reservations (8 AM – 5 PM) are limited in total hours per user per instrument at any given time. For most instruments this is set at 8 hours.
There is no limit on the number of hours reserved overnight and on weekends.
There are currently no billing distinctions between day and evening use, however, in order to encourage the development of proficient users and not limit productive research, usage over 12 hours/month by one user on one project is charged at 30% of the hourly rate for this instrument.
Flexible start/end time:
Start/end time is calculated to the second so that you are billed for the actual instrument time you have used.
Unused reservation:
If user does not show up within 30 minutes after reserved start time, the reservation will be cancelled and another user may use the time period. The user who made the reservation will be charged a half hour no-show/late cancellation fee.
Cancelled reservation:
Users will not be charged if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the reserved time begins. Users will be charged the equivalent of a half hour of usage if the reservation is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance because this limits the ability of others to make use of available instrument time. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a medical emergency, the late cancellation fee will be waived.
If an instrument is down, users will not be charged for unused reservations and do not need to cancel their reservations.
Forgetting to login/logout:
Users should notify the instrument manager or leave a note in the FOM comments if they forgot to log in to FOM at the start of their session or forgot to log off FOM at the end of their session.
Report of equipment problem:
If an instrument is not functioning properly during the session, the user should notify the instrument manager as soon as possible. This can be done in person or in the comments in FOM. For reports in FOM, instrument managers will receive an email notice and address the problem as soon as possible. Instrument managers will also determine whether the usage charge should be reduced or waived due to the problem reported.