[3dem] Protocol for generating gold grids with 208HR sputter coater

[Venkata Prasad Dandey]

Hi,

Since 2021, at NIEHS, most of our gold grids have been from C-flat grids
sputtered with gold using the Leica ACE 600, as they are easy to get. You
need a high-vacuum system to sputter gold onto carbon. Below are the
parameters we use,

Sputter Vacuum at 2.0 E-2 mbar
Base Vacuum 5.0E-5 mbar
Purge Cycle 2, then vent after the process. Argon gas is connected to the
system 2e-2 mbar

Gold process -
Time 50s
Thickness 30nm,
current 50mA

Please confirm whether you can match these parameters in the 208HR sputter
coater.

After sputtering gold onto the carbon grids on a glass slide, we place
another glass slide on top and flip it by holding the two slides firmly so
the carbon side faces up, then plasma-clean it at high power for 6 min to
remove carbon.

We freeze at least 120-150 gold grids per month. Occasionally, we receive a
bad batch, and keeping the sputter coater clean will help ensure
good-quality grids. We use Ultrafoil for only a few projects. We included
brief info about these grids in all the papers published at NIEHS.

Hope this helps.

regards,
Venkat



On Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 1:14 PM Brilot, Axel via 3dem <3dem at ncmir.ucsd.edu>
wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Given the long lead times for Ultraufoil grids, I was wondering if anyone
> had some experience generating gold grids using a 208HR sputter coater
> using C-flat grids as a base for the pattern. If so, would you be willing
> to share a protocol?
>
> Best,
>
> Axel
>
> *Axel Brilot, Ph.D.*
>
> Facility Director, Sauer Structural Biology Laboratory
>
> FNT B.101 | 512-475-6488
>
> Center for Biomedical Research Support  |  The University of Texas at
> Austin
>
> _______________________________________________
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> 3dem at ncmir.ucsd.edu
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>
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