Edwards has won a contract to supply Quorum Technologies with EXT75DX turbomolecular vacuum pumps for cryogenic preparation chambers used in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) applications.
Cryogenic preparation chambers rapidly freeze and transfer specimens.
Their use with SEMs is fast becoming the method of choice for observing the internal microstructures of biological materials because they allow specimens to be examined in their 'natural', fully hydrated state.
As a result, scientists can gain valuable information from materials with different dispersion phases, such as oils, polymers, fats and foodstuffs.
Quorum was looking to increase the reliability of its chambers and approached Edwards to provide oil-free pumps with minimal vibration and maintenance requirements.
Quorum's PP3000T cryogenic preparation chamber is turbomolecular pumped and includes tools for cold fracturing, controlled sublimation and specimen coating.
The specimen can then be transferred onto a highly stable SEM cold stage for observation.
It is a highly automated, column-mounted, gas-cooled cryo preparation system suitable for most makes and models of SEM, FE-SEM and FIB/SEM.
Edwards recommended its compact EXT75DX turbomolecular vacuum pump, which uses multi-stage axial-flow turbines combined with magnetic and ceramic bearings to provide reliable, hydrocarbon- and vibration-free ultra-high vacuum with ultimate pressure down to 5 x10-9mbar.
