RBD Instruments is now providing a re-tipping service for the 10-610 monochromator X-ray source anode. Besides installing a new copper tip, a diamond disc is inserted into the center of the copper tip and then the anode is coated with a thin coating of aluminum.

The thermal conductivity of diamond is about 5 times better than copper. By using diamond to improve the heat dissipation of the anode, the aluminum coating lasts significantly longer than the original anode and ensures that the anode will not melt once the aluminum coating is eventually worn off.

If the original anode was operated for more than the recommended lifetime of 1,100 hours it was possible for the anode to melt a small hole in the center of the anode and leak water into the vacuum chamber. The image below shows a 10-610 anode that is worn out and very close to developing a leak.

Sometimes this would show up as a change in the chamber vacuum when the X-ray source was turned on. Other times it would result in a lot of water leaking into the vacuum chamber with catastrophic effects on internal parts such as the ion pumps and the MCD chevron plates. These results are in addition to all the water vapor created in the vacuum chamber. (RBD also provides various products for removing water vapor from vacuum systems.)

The 10-610 monochromator X-ray source re-tipping service will prevent the water leakage issue, no matter how many hours you have on the anode.

For more information contact us at https://www.rbdinstruments.com/phi/optics-parts.html