A blog on the repair, operation and calibration of surface analysis systems and components including electron spectrometers, sputter ion guns and vacuum related hardware. Click on the Index tab below to see a list of all posts. Visit our website at http://www.rbdinstruments.com
The original channeltron and channel plate electron multipliers for the older PHI (Physical Electronics) AES and XPS systems are still available through Photonis. The cost of these parts has increased substantially in the last few years, so be prepared for sticker shock the next time you need a channeltron or a set of channel plates!
Here are the Photonis part numbers for the different PHI systems:
Model Number
Where used
Photonis Part Number
4831G
15-255G, 25-120, 25-120A, 25-130, 25-270 and 25-260 cylindrical mirror analyzers. 06-600 SIMS, 590 through 660 scanning AES systems
30129
4839
10-150 and 10-155 CMA
30131
4821
5100, 5300 and 5400 XPS systems 10-360 SCA single channel detector
30117
PSD detector channel plate matched set EDR
5400 XPS system 10-360 SCA PSD position sensitive detector
30300
MCD chevron plate set EDR
5500 through 5800 XPS 10-360 SCA MCD 16 channel detector
30410
For a quotation you can call 1-508-347-4000 or request a quotation at this URL –
The 20-040 X-ray source power supply is used on some of the older PHI X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) systems. There is a switch on the back of the 20-040 that needs to be set to the LOCAL position. When in the LOCAL position the high voltage is set by the user but the 32-095 or 32-096 X-ray source control turns the 20-040 high voltage on and off. Sometimes the LOCAL / REMOTE switch can become oxidized in which case the 20-040 high voltage may not turn on. This post explains how to remove the LOCAL / REMOTE switch and hard wire the board to the LOCAL position.
20-040 front panel
Make sure that the 20-040 main power switch is OFF and then unplug all cables from the back of the 20-040 and remove the 20-040 from the electronics console.
Remove the top cover (8 cross head screws).
Unscrew the nut on the LOCAL / REMOTE switch and also unscrew the two nuts on the 15 pin connector. Unplug the 3 pin connector on the top of the board, the larger bottom connector can stay attached.
On the back of the little board that the LOCAL / REMOTE switch is attached to you can see where the switch is soldered to the board. Un-solder and remove the switch. A solder sucker works well but you can also use some solder wick.
Solder some jumper wires between the pins as shown in the image below.
20-040 board with jumpers installed
Reattach the 3 pin connector and then insert the 15 pin connector back into the slot and use the two nuts to attach the board to the back chassis. I also added a plastic screw and nut to block the hole that remains after removing the switch. You can also just leave that hole open.
Replace the cover and tighten the 8 cover screws.
Make sure that the 20-040 main power switch is still OFF and then insert the 20-040 back into the electronics console and reattach all the cables to the back of the 20-040.
Below is a table that shows the pin outs on the control cable that goes between the 32-095/6 and the 20-040.
Removing the LOCAL / REMOTE switch eliminates the switch as a cause of lack of high voltage with the 20-040. If your 20-040 does not work and can’t be repaired, then RBD Instruments provides a drop in replacement, the 20-042.
Recently, I have seen the same problem on several 32-095 and 32-096 X-ray source controls which are used on older Physical Electronics PHI X-ray photo electron spectroscopy systems.
The issue is that C9, a 680 uF electrolytic capacitor blows out and the electrolytic material leaks out on the board. Left unattended, the electrolytic etches and oxidizes the traces on the board.
If you have an older PHI XPS system that uses a 32-095 or 32-095 X-ray source control you should pull if out of the rack, remove the cover and inspect the board immediately.
If corrosion is present, then remove the board and remove C9. Note the polarity of C9 as the + indicator on the board may be etched away. Then, carefully clean the corrosion from the board as best as you can. If in the shop I use some Alconox and let it sit on the board for a while, then rinse with DI water and let the board dry overnight. In the field I have used isopropanol or methanol and cotton swabs. Note that if the traces are corroded badly then they may come off the board as you clean it. If so, you will need to use some fine copper wire to rebuild the traces.
Once the board is clean and dry, replace C9 with a new one. I will dig into this issue some more and try to determine why this problem occurs so often and come up with a permanent solution. In the meantime, I would recommend that the C9 capacitor be replaced every 5 years.
The pictures below show where C9 is located on the control board and what the corrosion looks like.
