# An Interview with Adam McCombs

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2019-02-25
- Length: 1h 16m
- Episode: 431
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/431-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs/

## Summary

Adam McCombs, who runs a business repairing and relocating electron microscopes, explains the complex physics and engineering behind scanning (SEM), transmission (TEM), and scanning tunneling (STM) microscopes. He details the challenges of achieving ultra-high vacuum using turbo and diffusion pumps, the high-voltage electronics required to generate and focus electron beams, and the sample preparation techniques like gold sputter coating. McCombs also discusses the physical dangers of moving these top-heavy, high-voltage instruments and the specific failure modes encountered during troubleshooting.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs#t=0) Introduction: Adam McCombs and his journey with electron microscopes
- [2:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs#t=168) Vacuum systems: Turbo pumps, diffusion pumps, and achieving ultra-high vacuum
- [8:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs#t=534) SEM operation: Electron guns, magnetic lenses, and secondary electron detection
- [13:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs#t=801) Sample damage, melting, and the physics of electron beam energy
- [19:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs#t=1181) Sample preparation: Sputter coating with gold and handling insulators
- [27:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs#t=1640) Microscope types: Differences between SEM, TEM, and STM
- [44:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs#t=2687) Moving and assembling microscopes: Logistics, weight, and safety
- [53:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs#t=3215) Business of repair: Troubleshooting, high-voltage tanks, and X-ray safety

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Ben Kravsno (other)
- Dan Berard (other)
- ISI Super 3A (product)
- Joel 35 C (product)
- Joel 1200 EX Mark one (product)
- Phillips EM 400 T (product)
- Phillips EM 410 TEM (product)
- FEI (company)
- Thermo Fisher (company)
- Allen Institute of Brain Research (company)
- NWNCLabs (company)
- Vacuum Hackers (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [419: Fission Chips](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-06-30-419-fission-chips) (Embedded.fm)
- [S4E28 Kevin Distelhurst | Semiconductors – What They Are & How They’re Manufactured](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-28-s4e28-kevin-distelhurst-semiconductors-what-they-are-how-theyre-manufactured) (Being an Engineer)
- [Ep 291: Walking in Space, Lead in the Earth, and Atoms under the DIY MIcroscope](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-10-04-ep-291-walking-in-space-lead-in-the-earth-and-atoms-under-the-diy-microscope) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-02-25-an-interview-with-adam-mccombs. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.