TOOLS & TECHNIQUES UPDATE
Quantum yield measurement HORIBA Jobin Yvon’s Quantum Yield Accessory includes a 10 cm integrating sphere, sample holders for liquids and thin solid films, and software for automatically determining photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields of fluorescent samples. It is designed to slide into the sample spaces of the Fluorolog®-3 and FluoroMax®-3 spectrofluorometers. Applications include research on organic light-emitting diodes, DNA sequencing and detection, immunology, nanocrystals, green fluorescent protein, quantum dots, and phosphors. Contact: www.jobinyvon.com
Magnetrons for coercive materials Onyx-4 Mag II magnetrons from Angstrom Sciences are designed to sputter high coercivity magnetic materials up to a thickness of 0.250”, which requires a highly saturable magnetic field, while still providing a wide erosion pattern. To house its high-field magnet array, the Mag II is ~1.125” taller than the standard model Onyx-4. It can also run at traditional process pressures of 1-5 mTorr. Contact: www.angstromsciences.com
Temperature-programmed sorption characterization Hiden Isochema’s HTP1 highsensitivity volumetric desorption analyzer is designed for safe measurement of stored hydrogen in samples down to a few milligrams, between high vacuum and 100 bar, and up to 500°C. Stored hydrogen is quantified both by the volumetric Sievert’s method and by temperature-programmed desorption using an ultrasensitive close-coupled dynamic sampling mass spectrometer. The system can be calibrated automatically against measurement conditions. It can automatically determine PCT (pressureconcentration-temperature) uptake isotherms at one or more temperatures and offers a range of other modes, such as extended life testing. Optional accessories include cryo-cooling and glove box sample loading facilities. Contact: www.hidenisochema.com
electrical contacts to make. Together with the P650 Heat Capacity Measurement System, the P850 can extend fully automated low-temperature measurement from 4 K down to 50 mK. Contact: www.oxford-instruments.com
High-load vertical linear stages
Mini 3D piezoactuator With dimensions of 15 mm x 15 mm x 15 mm, piezosystem jena’s microTRITOR three-dimensional piezoactuator allows ultraprecise positioning in a limited space. It allows motion of up to 9 µm in the x-, y-, and z-axes and has a maximum load of 15 N. Step resolution is <0.1 nm. A resonant frequency of 2.3 kHz makes it suitable for atomic force microscopy, scanning near-field optical microscopy, Raman microscopy, and other scanning applications. Contact: www.piezojena.com
Imaging modules for spectrometer
Newport’s IMS-V high-load vertical linear stages offer long-travel vertical motion of heavy loads up to 50 kg. Yet, machined from Al, they are light, stiff, and stable. Applications include autofocusing, inspection, laser machining, and test and measurement. Use of the stages with Newport’s XPS motion controller provides better than 300 nm motion sensitivity. The drive system uses a 16 mm diameter lead screw with a wear-resistant polyethylene terephthalate nut designed for bearing high loads, which minimizes slip-stick effect. It self-locks to ensure in-position stability when powered down. Position feedback is from a linear scale with 0.1 µm resolution. This direct optical reading system provides minimum hysteresis compared with indirect feedback. The system automatically compensates for position drift from motion-induced heating of the lead screw. Contact: www.newport.com
Ocean Optics has two add-on imaging modules for its LIBS2000+ laser-induced breakdown spectrometer system. The modules magnify sample images via a CCD camera (with 6 µm2 pixels and a resolution of 1280 x 1024) and Windows-based PixeLINK software (enabling image capture and archiving on a PC). LIBS-IM produces black and white images at 40 µm resolution, while LIBS-IM-C provides color images at 60 µm resolution. Contact: www.oceanoptics.com
High-power ultrafast amplifier
Compact dilution refrigerator Oxford Instruments’ P850 is a fully automated, valveless, continuously circulating 3He/4He dilution refrigerator system that fits into the sample space of Quantum Design’s Physical Property Measurement System. Valveless control is achieved through a turbo pump and controller functioning together as a virtual gate valve. The sample mount plugs into the mixing chamber’s receptacle with no further vacuum seals or
Coherent has extended its range of ultrafast lasers with the Legend HE Cryo, a high-power Ti:sapphire amplifier that doubles pulse energy (up to 7 mJ/pulse for pulses <50 fs). Peak repetition rate is 7 kHz. Average power is up to 25 W and peak power is over 100 GW, yet beam quality, noise levels, and pulse-topulse stability are similar to lower power amplifiers. A closed-loop cryogenic ‘cold finger’ cools the crystal to 33 K, reducing the thermal lensing effect by almost three orders of magnitude. This allows the multipass amplifier to take full advantage of the 90 W output from Coherent's Evolution pump lasers. Applications include research in surface physics effects and advanced materials processing in micromachining. Contact: www.coherent.com
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