Focus on cryogenics, vacuum equipment, materials, and semiconductors
DOI: 10.1063/PT.3.5275
Thixotropic epoxy
Master Bond EP5LTE-100 is a one-part, non-premixed, frozen epoxy with a very low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a high glass transition temperature (Tg), and a very high modulus. Its thixotropic paste consistency makes it suitable for bonding, sealing, and gap filling, especially in optoelectronics and applications that need high dimensional stability and good heat resistance. EP5LTE-100 passes NASA low outgassing specifications and provides a tensile modulus of above 106 psi at room temperature. Minimal shrinkage once cured and the low CTE of 8–12 × 10−6/°C enable precise alignment for bonding dissimilar substrates with low CTEs. With a Tg between 120–125 °C and a service temperature range from −60 °C to 175 °C, EP5LTE-100 is effective in high-temperature environments. Its volume resistivity of more than 1014 Ω-cm makes it a reliable electrical insulator; it also resists water and damp heat. Master Bond Inc, 154 Hobart St, Hackensack, NJ 07601-3922,www.masterbond.com
Model I dilution refrigerator
Zero Point Cryogenics presents Model I, which is a complete rethinking of the traditional dilution refrigerator, designed at every stage to make operation simple and straightforward. Samples can be exchanged rapidly from the top plate, or the fridge can be opened completely when rewiring is required. With a cooldown time of less than 24 hours, rapid warm-up heaters, and reliable long-term operation, Model I keeps experiments running around the clock. The compact footprint of Model I allows users to add a dilution refrigerator where previously it had never been possible; plus the intuitive, easy-to-use touchscreen control means users do not have to be low-temperature experts to access mK temperatures. Zero Point Cryogenics Inc, 9773 45 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6E 5V8,www.zpcryo.com/model-i
Electrical characterization cryogenic system
Lake Shore Cryotronics has launched an all-in-one system for conducting material and device research in the range of 77–500 K. The fully integrated CryoComplete cryogenic characterization system provides everything experimental physicists need to make temperature-dependent, low-level electrical measurements out of the box: a MeasureReady M81-SSM synchronous-source measure system optimized for low-level DC measurements, including a BCS-10 balanced DC/AC current source module and a VM-10 differential DC, AC, and lock-in-capable voltmeter module; an Environment by Janis VPF-100 sample-in-vacuum LN2 cryostat with a prewired sample mount and cabling; a Model 335 temperature controller with a precision-calibrated silicon diode temperature sensor; and a computer with MeasureLINK test-control and data-charting software for automating entire experiments. The system’s M81-SSM components can be used to stimulate and measure small detector photocurrents of a diode that is mounted in the cryostat and illuminated by a laser source. Lake Shore Cryotronics Inc, 575 McCorkle Blvd, Westerville, OH 43082, www.lakeshore.com
Compact mobile cryogenics
Attocube has introduced its IGLU helium compressor for Gifford–McMahon and pulse-tube cryocoolers. According to the company, the compressor system is the first in the world designed to fit into 19-inch racks. It offers a new level of compactness, ease of integration, and mobility to cryogenic systems with target temperatures below 4 K. The system’s high efficiency is based on the patented IGLU technology, a new method to compress the refrigerant for cryogenic systems. In a clean, robust process, pure compression of helium takes place without the need to add oil. Thus, bulky, fragile oil separation and filtering or absorbing methods are not required. The new pumping technology saves energy: It requires only a low electrical energy input of around 1 kW and generates a low level of heat. Therefore, it can be used in most vented or climatized rooms without additional cooling infrastructure. Power and cold head speed are remotely adjustable via Ethernet. Attocube systems AG, Eglfinger Weg 2, 85540 Haar, Germany,www.attocube.com
Intelligent interface for scroll pumps
Pfeiffer Vacuum’s HiScroll series consists of three dry, hermetically sealed scroll pumps with a nominal pumping speed of 6–20 m3/h. To enhance safety and convenience, the company now offers the AccessLink intelligent accessory interface for use with the pumps. Previously, accessories had to be configured by hand. AccessLink permits the use of a wide range of optional accessories automatically detected by the HiScroll’s electronics. For example, a new gas ballast valve detects specific process requirements. The vacuum pump controls the valve according to a specific time interval or—depending on the inlet pressure—in conjunction with an additional accessory: the HiScroll integrated sensor RPT 010. New vacuum safety valves enhance operating reliability by preventing a rise in pressure at the vacuum flange when the pump is switched off. HiScroll pumps can be used in mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, and surface analysis; in accelerators and laboratory applications; and in semiconductor technology, coating, and gas recovery. Pfeiffer Vacuum Inc, 24 Trafalgar Sq, Nashua, NH 03063,www.pfeiffer-vacuum.co m
Automated 3D areal surface measurements
Bruker has developed two new white-light interferometry systems for research and production. According to the company, since the stand-alone ContourX-1000 and NPFLEX-1000 optical profilometers integrate an automatic focus-finding capability, they enable fast, automated areal measurements of surface texture and roughness. The one-click Advanced Find Surface feature with autofocus and auto-illumination eliminates the complexity of manually registering the surface before each measurement. Combined with the company’s self-adapting Universal Scanning Interferometry measurement mode and guided, simplified VisionXpress interface, that feature enables precise metrology on any surface at increased throughput. With user-friendly automated measurement and analysis recipes, the ContourX-1000 offers accurate, precise metrology for high-volume production facilities in semiconductor and optoelectronic processing, advanced packaging development, and medical device manufacturing. The NPFLEX-1000 combines the ease-of-use advantages of the ContourX-1000 with a large-form-factor gantry and swivel head design. It delivers a gauge-capable solution for accessing difficult orientations on large parts in quality assurance and control of precision machining in manufacturing. Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology, 3400 E Britannia Dr, Ste 150, Tucson, AZ 85706,www.bruker.com
High-voltage accessory for AFM
Oxford Instruments Asylum Research has presented its NanoTDDB (nanoscale time-dependent dielectric breakdown) high-voltage accessory for the Jupiter XR atomic force microscope (AFM). The technique that uses the NanoTDDB accessory measures the voltage at which a material undergoes dielectric breakdown. Users can apply constant or ramped biases up to ±220 V while monitoring current through a conductive AFM probe. According to the company, the spatial resolution of the AFM tip enables local measurements of dielectric breakdown of about 20 nm on much smaller length scales than possible with conventional probe stations. The NanoTDDB accessory can measure breakdown voltages up to ±150 V on small and large samples, such as the 200 mm wafers that the large-sample Jupiter XR can accommodate. The accessory expands the range of electrical characterization tools available on the Jupiter XR and allows for advanced measurements in the fields of semiconductors, 2D materials, thin films, and polymers. Oxford Instruments Asylum Research, 7416 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93117,https://afm.oxinst.com
Cold-cathode and wide-range gauges
Leybold has released a series of compact, robust, reliable cold-cathode and wide-range gauges for measuring rough to high vacuum. The active Penningvac series PTR 90 and 225 RN have been enhanced to increase their service intervals in harsh applications. The Penningvac PTR 225 RN pure-filament Pirani cold-cathode gauges use the Penning principle of cold-cathode ionization. Their measuring range of 10−2 to 10−9 enables measurements into the high-vacuum region. The Penningvac PTR 90 RN cold-cathode gauges use the inverted magnetron principle of cold-cathode ionization and a Pirani gauge. Combining the technologies into a single compact sensor increases the measuring range and enables a reliable pressure measurement from atmosphere to 1 × 10−9. The Pirani controls the on-off function of the cold cathode automatically. That eliminates the risk of running the cold cathode at too high a pressure, which could reduce its life span. Leybold GmbH, Bonner Str 498, 50968 Cologne, Germany,www.leybold.com
