Tag: SEM Sputter Coaters
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The Gold Standard for Carbon Coating
Measure by Eye Not By Guess When working with vacuum deposition for SEM sample preparation, accurately determining the thickness of a carbon coating is critical. Fortunately, there’s a fast and effective visual method—especially when your carbon film is deposited on a reflective surface like gold. Visual Method for Inspecting Carbon Film Thickness Carbon layers on gold substrates exhibit distinct…
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All Glow, No Go: Troubleshooting Cold Cathode Sputtering
This guide addresses common causes of non-depositing plasma in cold cathode sputtering systems, highlighting five key issues: improper grounding, target erosion, low power, gas flow errors, and weak magnets. Each problem is explained with symptoms and solutions, emphasizing the importance of maintenance and monitoring to ensure optimal sputtering performance.
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Selecting the Right Sputtering Target Material for SEM Imaging
Selecting the appropriate coating material for SEM applications depends on factors such as the sample nature and intended use. Different materials offer different benefits, with gold being commonly used for non-conductive samples due to its efficiency and low work function. Other options like platinum, palladium, and silver also have specific advantages and drawbacks. Be mindful…