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
Glassblowing has been around for thousands of years, and we see examples of it every day. From neon signs to Murano glass to Chihuly glass exhibits. Less well known but very important to science is the art and craft of scientific glassblowing which is the process of creating glass apparatus used in research and production.
Over the years I have had the good luck to be working at universities on one or another type of vacuum chamber related instrument where some glass to metal seal was damaged but was able to be repaired by the resident glass blower. More recently it seems that many of the glassblowers at universities are retiring and not being replaced. So, to an extent, scientific glass blowing is becoming a nearly lost art as this interesting article on the History of Glassblowing explains.
But all is not lost as there are still scientific glass blowers who are handing down their glassblowing expertise to those who will carry on the tradition.
Finally, The American Glassblowers Society has a Find a Glassblower link that lists glass blowers from different parts of the USA. https://asgs-glass.org/#
This blog post shows you how to test the filament current supply on an 11-065 when it is connected to the 04-303 ion source.
Make sure that the 11-065 main power switch is OFF and then remove all cables and the power cord. Put the 11-065 on the table top or bench. Note that you will need to connect the black high voltage cable from J9 on the back of the 11-065 to the 04-303 ion source.
Remove the top cover on the 11-065.
11-065 Top Cover
Remove the High Voltage cover on the right hand side. Remove the 4 outside screws, not the 4 inside screws.
11-065 high voltage coverRemove 4 outside screws
The two high voltage boards are now visible.
HV2 board is on the left, HV1 board is on the right
On the right hand HV1 board, E93 is the high voltage output, E92 and E91 are the filament current output connectors. With the 11-065 power OFF and the high voltage OFF and set to zero, unplug the E92 connector and then connect a current meter that can go up to 10 amps DC between the E92 cable lug and the E92 connector on the HV1 board. Make sure that the meter leads are not touching anything.
CAUTION! High voltages can be present on this board. As long as you have the high voltage on the 11-065 set to zero (fully CCW) and the high voltage switch set to off, then there is no high voltage present. Refer this test to someone who is trained to work safety with high voltage if you are not familiar with operating a DVM.
Remove E92 cable from HV1 board.Fluke meter set to 10 amps DC
Make sure that the beam voltage switch is set to zero and the beam voltage control potentiometer is turned fully CCW.
Beam voltage set to OFF and control potentiometer set to zero (fully CCW)
Connect the black high voltage cable between the 11-065 and the 04-303 ion source. Connect the main power cable to the back of the 11-065.
Make sure that the Emission adjust potentiometer is fully CCW and that the emission scale switch is in the X1 position,and then turn on the 11-065 main power. The emission current should be zero.
When the 11-065 is turned on the emission current should be zero.
Slowly turn up the emission current (turn CW) until you get 25 mA of emission current.
Emission current set to 25mA with the emission scale set to X 1.
The DC current meter should read approximately 2.7 amps DC current at 25 mA of emission current on the 11-065 emission meter.
2.7 amps DC current with the emission current set to 25mA
If your emission current shoots up to 50mA when the 11-065 is first turned on or when the emission current is turned up then there is a problem with the 11-065 filament current circuit or the emission feedback circuit.
If you do not get any filament current then there is a problem with the 11-065 filament circuit or the ionizer in the 11-065.
For help with repairing your 11-065 controller please contact RBD Instruments for assistance.
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 –
