Model 681 High Resolution Ion Beam Coater

High Resolution Ion Beam Coating System for SEM and TEM

A unique ion beam based sputter coating system producing continuous, ultra thin, amorphous coatings free of thermal artifacts making them ideal for FESEM and TEM applications. This is an important advantage over traditional coating techniques such as thermal evaporation, magnetron or RF sputtering that produces coarse deposition structures.

Two Compact Ion Sources produce high sputtering rates. Coating times vary from about 10 seconds to 2 minutes depending on target material, ion beam energy and coating thickness.

A Whisperlok™ mechanism provides true "Fast Specimen Exchange"
(<1 minute) thus eliminating venting the complete chamber to atmosphere when loading and unloading samples. A second key feature is providing variable speed sample rotation along with simultaneous rocking to ensure uniform sample coating.
TEM Whisperlok™ Adapters (Optional) offers the ability to accept all makes of side-entry TEM or SEM sample holders. Samples may be coated at low temperatures using TEM cryoholders if required.

Multiple Targets: The target exchange mechanisms permits selection of one of two available target materials within seconds without breaking vacuum. Adding a second target exchange mechanism (Optional) allows the user two additional targets for a total of four target materials. Dormant targets within the chamber are fully shielded from sputter contamination.

The Gatan ion beam coater offers convenience, efficiency and dependability in a compact, bench-top instrument. It produces ultra-fine grained/amorphous and artifact free coatings for the more demanding high-resolution field-emission microscopes. Specimens are coated quickly with negligible specimen heating.

An optional Film-Thickness Monitor (FTM) measures deposition rate continuously and permits improved control of the film thickness.

Specifications

Ion Source

 

 

Ion guns

Two Penning ion guns with miniature rare earth magnets

 

Ion Beam Energy

1.0keV to 10.0keV

 

Beam Diameter

About 1mm FWHM

 

Ion Current Density

10mA/cm2 Peak

 

Gas throughput

Argon at 0.1cc/minute/gun

 

Airlock Assembly

 

 

Sample Holder

Accepts 1¼ inch (31mm) Metallographic mounts and multiple SEM stubs

 

Sample Rotation

Variable speed 10-60rpm

 

Sample Tilt

Fixed angle or variable rocking angle (0° - 90°)

 

Sample Rocking

Variable speed 5°/Sec - 36°/sec

 

Option

TEM adapters for side-entry TEM or SEM holders

 

Coating

 

Coating Rate

Approximately 0.5 Å/sec for Carbon and 1.5 Å /sec for Chromium at 10.0keV

Coating Area

Uniform over a 1 inch diameter

Target Holder

One dual target set, externally selectable while under vacuum

Target Materials

Choice of four target materials (see complete list)

 

Vacuum

 

 

Dry Pumping System

Two stage diaphragm pump backing a 60l/sec molecular drag pump

 

Vacuum Gauge

Cold-cathode gauge for specimen chamber. Solid state sensor for backing pressure

 

Specimen Exchange

Gatan Patented Whisperlok™, specimen exchange time <1 minute

 

Liquid-nitrogen Trap

Approximately 5 hour capacity (Standard)

 

 

Dimension and Utilities

 
 

Overall Size

560mmW x 480mmD x 430mmH (22"W x 19"D x 17"H)

 

Shipping Weight

45kg (100lbs)

 

Power Requirements

Universal voltage 100VAC - 240VAC, 50/60Hz
User to specify voltage to insure correct line cord

 

Power Consumption

200 Watts during operation, 100Watts with ion guns off

 

Gas Requirements

Argon gas at 70psi (4.82 bar)

 

Warranty

One year

© Gatan, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved.