Guidelines for Sample Submission and Handling

NOTE: Please ask your Purchasing Department or Supervisor to issue a Purchase Order # as soon as possible. Some purchasing departments are very strict that PO# is required before shipping samples.

We need to understand the expected surface chemistry and the final chemical or physical treatment applied to your sample. A photo of the sample with a ruler is very helpful.  We will provide quotes based on our mutually agreed upon plan of analysis.
Cell # is:  xxx      Email is: xxx

• Most gloves have silicone oil.  Surface of sample must never be touched with any kind of glove.  Handling sample by edges is best. Label the sample package with the name of the sample.
• Please wrap sample inside Aluminum foil or place inside paper envelop.
• Do not place samples in plastic bags or moulded boxes (they often have silicone contamination)
• Most materials have low level surface carbon contamination that is due to production,
  handling, or storage. Carbon contamination comes from the air or very often physical transfer contact to some equipment or tool that has adventitious carbon on its surface.

• Large samples will be cut, broken, or cleaved so that several samples fit on sample stage.
• Largest diameter size: 75 mm
• Tallest sample size: 25 mm
• Sample will be analyzed in the “as-received” condition, unless you request surface treatment
  (ion etch, solvent cleaning).  Label the sample package with the name of the sample.

• Be sure to label each sample with a name or number. Use sharpie or carbide scribe.
• If possible, please send photos of samples next to a ruler by email.
• XPS can also measure true bulk chemistry after the solid sample has been broken or cleaved.
• Powders will be pressed onto foil using clean spatula. Powders will be lightly ground
  to expose bulk chemistry.

• Outgassing samples will be reduced to minimum size to minimize wait time in loadlock.
  Max wait time with no charge:  30 minutes
• Samples will be trapped on the sample mount by a clip, double sided tape, or graphite paint
• Samples will be returned to you.
• Graphite fibers must be cut to fit and taped down

1. Purchase Order (PO) or Credit Card Payment Info
   Obtain a purchase order from your puchasing department before sending Samples or a Submit Sample FORM. If paying by credit card, then provide us with credit card information to charge once the analysis is complete and has been reported to you. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express cards.  We accept payments through Paypal also.  Check payments should be sent to our laboratory address given in the heading of each of our website pages.  We also accept and setup standing POs. 
2. Fill out Submit Sample FORM
   Fill out a Submit Sample FORM. Include a Quote # issued by “Analysis Lab”. Please send photos with a ruler which are very helpful. Return the form or forms to us by e-mail, and include copies with the samples to be analyzed. 
3. Select and Send Samples – Please review the instructions listed above
   Please wrap samples in aluminum foil or place them in a white paper envelop to keep them clean.  Proper sample handling is critical to ensuring the integrity and accuracy of results, as well as preventing delays or rework.  Samples should be sent to our laboratory address.
4. Rush Jobs: We often work extra hours to complete rush jobs for our customers, but our ability to accommodate rush jobs depends on our capacity.  Note that rush jobs incur higher fees, most commonly a 50% higher fee.  The rush fee is dependent upon our overall workload, the availability of scientists, and the number of other expedited projects.