The Q150 GB is a modular glove box version of the highly successful Q150T ES Plus bench top turbomolecular-pumped coating system – suitable for SEM, TEM and many thin-film applications. The Q150 GB comes as standard with sputtering and carbon rod evaporation inserts and a rotating specimen stage. Options include metal evaporation, glow discharge, film thickness measurement and special stages to suit a range of specimen types.
Based on the market-leading Q150T Plus coater, the Q150 GB is single platform for both sputtering and carbon rod evaporation. Metal evaporation using filament or boat sources is also possible using an optional insert.
Depending upon user preference, the Q150GB can be a top-of-the-range sputter coater for high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM), or a high vacuum carbon coater suitable for SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The flexibility of the Q150 GB can be further expanded using a range of optional accessories.
The Q150 GB can sputter both oxidising and non-oxidising metals making it ideal for many thin film applications.
The Q150 GB has an integral turbomolecular pump and additionally requires a suitable rotary pump or dry pump to “back” the turbomolecular pump. See: Ordering Information for details.
These products are for Research Use Only.
A modular design enables the vacuum chamber to be mounted through the base of the glove box or – when modification to the glove box floor is not possible – inside the glove box itself (optional feedthroughs are required).
A separate power supply housed in a rugged case is designed to be floor-mounted and can be positioned conveniently beneath the glove box or bench. The touch screen user interface is housed in a robust stainless steel case and can be positioned outside of the glove box environment, if preferred.
Vacuum module mounted in the floor of the glove box
A cut-out is made in the floor of the glove box and the vacuum chamber fitted and sealed with the gasket supplied. External connections from the floor-mounted power supply, vacuum pump and argon gas can then be made directly to the chamber.
Or
Vacuum module placed inside the glove box
The chamber assembly is placed inside the glove box and the power supply, vacuum pump and argon gas connections are made through two KF40 feedthroughs in the rear of the glove box.
Note: each Q150 GB is supplied with an accessory/configuration kit to suit either internally or externally mounted vacuum chambers. Additional kits can be designed on a case-by-case basis to allow the Q150 GB to be adapted to various manufacturers’ glove boxes. Please contact Quorum for further details.
Enclosed in a stainless steel case and mounted at a convenient position outside the glove box, the touch screen allows multiple users to input and store coating protocols.
At the operational heart of Q150 GB is the touch screen controller, which allows the most inexperienced or occasional operators to rapidly enter and store their own process data. To further aid ease of use a number of typical sputtering and evaporation profiles are provided.
The vacuum module houses all the working components, including the 70 L/s air-cooled turbomolecular pump. An automatic bleed control ensures optimum vacuum conditions during sputtering and a full-range active gauge is fitted as standard to monitor the vacuum.
The Q150 GB includes “vacuum shutdown”, a convenient feature which enhances vacuum performance by allowing the chamber vacuum to be maintained when the coater is not in use.
A unique feature of the Q150 GB is the integral pressure interlock switch. This independently monitors the pressure inside the glove box and turns off the vacuum pump if the glove box atmosphere is unacceptably reduced due to a vacuum leak.
The vacuum chamber is 214 mm high to allow for increased source-to-substrate distances required for coating large specimens. It has an external diameter of 165 mm and comes with an integral implosion guard. The chamber assembly is easy to remove to allow specimen exchange and chamber cleaning.
A variable speed rotary specimen stage is fitted as standard, with full height adjustment from 0 to 190 mm above the base plate. Other stages are available as options.
Quick-change deposition inserts can be swapped in seconds and the intelligent system logic automatically recognises which insert is in place and displays the appropriate operating settings.
The Q150 GB features a high-resolution sputter coater insert (10034) for oxidising and non-oxidising (noble) metals. A wide selection of sputtering targets is available, including iridium and chromium, which are highly recommended for FE-SEM applications. Please see: Ordering Information for details of available metal targets.
The high vacuum carbon rod coating insert (10033) is ideal for the production of highly stable carbon films and surface replicas for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Q150 GB uses economical 3.05 mm diameter carbon rods and the advanced “anti-stick” carbon rod evaporation gun offers simple operation and reproducible results.
A carbon fibre evaporation insert (10455) is available as an option (see: Ordering Information).
Controlled ramped carbon rod evaporation
This comes as standard with E and ES models and has two important benefits. Careful control of evaporation allows precise control of carbon thickness (with or without the optional film thickness monitor). In addition the quality of the resulting carbon films is enhanced by the eradication of “sparking” – a common and unwanted feature of less advanced coating systems.
Controlled pulse carbon cord evaporation
If the optional carbon fibre insert (for E and ES models) is fitted, then controlled profiles ensure carbon is evaporated in short pulses. This significantly reduces the amount debris (including large carbon fragments) associated with traditional carbon “flash” evaporation. Also it allows the carbon cord evaporation process to be accurately controlled using the optional film thickness monitor (FTM) accessory.
A quick-change insert (10457) allows metal evaporation from tungsten baskets or molybedenum boats – ideal for thin film applications. For ease of set up in a glove box the metal charge can be loaded into the evaporation source away from the vacuum chamber.
Each of the above configurations can be used with a range of optional accessories. For further details see: Additional Information.
The Q150 GB has an extensive range of other options and accessories, including a glow discharge insert, film thickness monitor (FTM) and specimens stages to suit most applications. For details see: Additional Information.
A modular, high resolution turbomolecular-pumped sputter coater/carbon rod evaporator for glove boxes. Includes:
10034 sputtering insert including TK8845 57 mm Ø x 0.5 mm chromium target, 10033 carbon rod evaporation insert including carbon rods (C5422 3.05 mm Ø x 300 mm) and an S8651 carbon rod shaper. Fitted with a 10067 rotation stage.
13034. Vacuum pump. 5 m3/hr Pfeiffer DUO 6 two-stage rotary pump with vacuum hose, coupling kit and oil mist filter.
Dry pumping options:
11540. Diaphragm pump. Vacuubrand MD1 23 L/m.
20063. Scroll pump. Edwards nXDS6i.
10456. Carbon rod evaporation insert for 6.15 mm Ø rods.
10455. Carbon fibre insert, supplied with 1 m C5421 carbon fibre cord.
10457. Metal evaporation and aperture cleaning insert. Supplied with a pack of ten tungsten wire baskets (B5230) and a molybdenum boat.
10453. Additional sputter insert for quick metal change (TE and TES version only). This is an entire sputtering assembly; individual targets can also be purchased.
10360. Variable angle rotary planetary specimen stage.
10357. Variable tilt angle specimen stage. Adjustable tilt up to 90º.
10458. Flat rotation specimen stage for 4″/100 mm wafers. Includes gear box for increased coating coverage.
10358. Specimen stage for glass microscope slides.
10837. Glow discharge attachment.
10454. Film thickness monitor (FTM). Including oscillator, feed-through, quartz crystal holder and quartz crystal.
C5460. Spare quartz crystal.
10429. Extended height vacuum chamber.
The Q150GB is fitted as standard with a 0.2 mm thick chromium sputtering target (TK8845).
Other optional targets are all 57 mm in diameter and 0.1 mm thick unless otherwise stated.
SC502-314A. Gold (Au).
SC502-314A/0.2mm. Gold (Au) 0.2 mm.
TK8889. Gold (Au) 0.3 mm.
SC502-314B. Gold/palladium (Au/Pd – 80:20).
SC502-314B/0.2mm. Gold/palladium (Au/Pd – 80:20) 0.2 mm.
TK8891. Gold/palladium (Au/Pd – 80:20%) 0.2 mm.
SC502-314C. Platinum (Pt).
SC502-314C/0.2mm. Platinum (Pt) 0.2 mm.
TK8893. Platinum (Pt) 0.3 mm.
SC502-314D. Nickel (ni).
SC502-314E. Silver (Ag).
SC502-314G. Palladium (Pd).
SC502-314H. Copper (Cu).
TK8878. Platinum/Palladium (Pt/Pd – 80:20).
TK8887. Platinum/Palladium (Pt/Pd – 80:20) 0.3 mm.
TK8845. Chromium (Cr) 0.5 mm.
TK8862. Chromium (Cr) 1.5 mm.
TK8867. Tungsten (W) 0.2 mm.
TK8846. Tungsten (W) 0.5 mm.
TK8869. Carbon (C) 1.5 mm.
TK8875. Aluminium (Al) 1 mm.
TK8895. Titanium (Ti) 0.5 mm.
TK8879. Titanium (Ti) 1.5 mm.
TK8897. Iron (Fe).
TK8899. Iridium (Ir) 0.3 mm.
TK8900. Cobolt (Co) 0.3 mm.
TK8902. Tin (Si).
TK8903. Molybdenum (Mo).
TK8905. Magnesium (Mg) 0.3 mm.
TK8906. Tantalum (Ta).
TK8907. Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) 3 mm.
A0830A. Carbon rods – 6.15 mm Ø x 100 mm length (unshaped) – pack of 10.
A0832A. Carbon rods – 6.15 mm Ø x 50 mm length (shaped) – pack of 10.
A0834A: Carbon rods 3.05 Ø x 50 mm, (shaped) – pack of 10.
C5422. Carbon rods 3.05 Ø x 100 mm, (unshaped) – pack of 10.
C5421. Carbon fibre cord – 1 m.
C5421-10. Carbon fibre cord – 10 m.
C5421-100. Carbon fibre cord – 100 m.
C5461. Carbon fibre – fine strands – 1 m.
C5461-10: Carbon fibre – fine strands – 10 m.
C5461-100. Carbon fibre – fine strands – 100 m.
S8650. Manual carbon rod shaper for 6.15 mm Ø carbon rods.
S8651. Manual carbon rod shaper for 3.05 mm Ø carbon rods.
B5230. Tungsten wire basket – pack of 10 (for use with 10457 metal evaporation insert).
B5228. Molybdenum boats – pack of 10.
G6260. Glass cylinder 6″ diameter.
13233. Supergrade ‘A’ rotary pump oil – 1 L.
13235. Supergrade ‘A’ rotary pump oil – 5 L.
O7803. Oil mist filter.
A range of interchangeable, plug-in style coating head inserts are available:
Sputtering head insert (10034): Suitable for oxidising and non-oxidising metals. Supplied with a 54 mm Ø x 0.3 mm thick chromium target (TK8845) as standard. For additional targets see: Ordering Information.
Note: changing sputtering targets is easy, but additional sputter head inserts can be purchase for even quicker coating material change. See:10453 in Options and Accessories.
Carbon rod evaporation head insert for 3.05 mm Ø rods (10879).
Carbon rod evaporation head insert for 6.15 mm Ø rods (10456).
Carbon fibre evaporation head insert (10455).
Metal evaporation and aperture cleaning head insert (10457). Using tungsten wire baskets and molybdenum boats. Includes electrode extensions to allow upwards evaporation, if required. Note that when the electrodes are fitted some stage options cannot be used.
Glow discharge insert (10837). Used to modify surface properties, e.g. hydrophobic-hydrophilic conversion. (R S and R ES versions only). Can be retrofitted.
The Q150 GB has specimen stages to meet most requirements. All are easy-change, drop-in style (no screws) and are height adjustable (except for the rotary planetary stage):
10067 rotation stage 50 mm Ø (supplied as standard). This stage only rotates – no tilt or height adjustment.
10360 rotate-tilt stage 50 mm Ø with height adjustment. Target to stage height variable between 37 mm and 60 mm. The tilt angle can be preset.
10357 variable angle rotary planetary specimen stage. 50 mm Ø specimen platform with six stub positions for 15 mm or 6.5 mm or 1/8″ pin stubs.
10458 flat rotation stage for 4″/100 mm wafers. Includes gear box which needs to be fitted when the optional FTM is being used or for coating over the full area of the stage.
10358 rotation stage for glass microscope slides. Allows two 75 mm x 25 mm slides to be coated.
All rotation stages have rotation speeds that can be variable between 8 and 20 rpm.
10429 extended height chamber. 87 mm higher than the standard stage – useful for tall specimens.
10454 Film Thickness Monitor (FTM). Consists of a controller and quartz crystal oscillator built into the Q150GB and a vacuum feed though, chamber mounted crystal holder and quartz crystal. As sputtered or evaporated material is deposited onto the crystal, so its frequency of oscillation is modified. This modification is used to measure and control the thickness of material deposited.
10837 glow discharge insert. Used to modify surface properties (e.g. hydrophobic to hydrophilic conversion).
Vacuum module size. 267 mm W x 490 mm D x 494 mm H (total height with coating head open is 767 mm).
Power supply size. 310 mm W x 357 mm D x 262 mm H.
User interface size & weight. 160 mm W x 157 mm D x 42 mm.
Weight. 40 kg.
Packed dimensions. 725 mm W x 660 mm D x 787 mm H (44 kg).
Work chamber. borosilicate glass 152 mm Ø (inside) x 214 mm H.
Safety shield. integral polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cylinder.
Display: Size: 145 mm, resolution: 320 mm x 240 mm colour graphic thin film transistor (TFT)
User interface. intuitive full graphical interface with touch screen buttons, includes features such as a log of the last 100 coatings carried out and reminders for when maintenance is due.
Sputtering target. disc-style 57 mm Ø x 0.3 mm thick chromium target is fitted as standard.
Specimen stage. 60 mm Ø rotation stage. Rotation speed 8 ~ 20 rpm.
Specimen shutter. An automatic shutter is fitted as standard to shield specimens during pre-sputtering of oxidising metals and protection during evaporation out-gassing procedures.
Vacuum. Internally mounted, 70 L/s air-cooled turbomolecular pump.
Rotary pump: 5 m3/hr Pfeiffer DUO 6 two-stage rotary pump with oil mist filter(order separately: 13034).
Vacuum measurement. An active, full-range gauge is fitted.
Typical ultimate vacuum. 5 x 10-5mbar.
Sputter vacuum range. Between 5 x 10-3 and 5 x 10-1mbar.
Interlocks: The Q150GB is interlocked to prevent continuous pumping of the glove box in the event of a vacuum leak.
Sputtering. 0-150 mA to a predetermined thickness (with optional FTM) or by the built-in timer. The maximum sputtering time is 60 minutes (without breaking vacuum and with built-in rest periods automatically built into the process).
Carbon evaporation. A robust, ripple free, D.C. power supply featuring pulse evaporation ensures reproducible carbon evaporation from rod or fibre sources. Current pulse: 30 – 75 A.
Metal evaporation and aperture cleaning insert (option).
For thermal evaporation of metals from filaments or molybdenum boat can be fitted. The metal evaporation head is set up for downwards evaporation, but upward evaporation can be achieved by fitting two terminal extensions (supplied). Evaporation times is up to four minutes.
Gases:
Argon sputtering process gas 99.999% (“zero grade”).
Nitrogen venting gas uses the glove box atmosphere as the source.
Electrical supply. 90-250 V ~ 50/60 Hz 1400 VA including rotary pump power. 110/240V voltage selectable.
CE conformity. Power Factor Correction. Complies with the current legislation (CE Certification) and ensures efficient use of power which results in reduced running costs.
