Blog

Catalysis is the process of modifying a chemical reaction with the use of a catalyst. This process only works with chemicals that have an existing reaction, and it is used to accelerate the reaction for commercial purposes. Catalysis occurs faster than a standard chemical reaction because catalysts require less activation energy, which is the minimum level of energy necessary to initiate a chemical reaction.

This blog post will outline the principle of catalysis and the different types.

Catalysis Working Principle

This post is a modified version of an article published in TechTalk by ANCORP, August 26th, 2020.

Vacuum bellows and flexible metal hoses are a common solution for applications involving prolonged vibrations and misaligned vacuum ports. Bellows are great for dampening vibrations, which can protect sensitive instrumentation, limit mechanical fatigue, and prevent loosening of bolt connections.

Hose Type

The most common hose types are hydroformed and PVC. Hydroformed hoses and bellows are inexpensive compared

Some single port wide range vacuum gauges can measure over 7 decades, from 1000 Torr to 1x10-4 Torr. While they do typically offer a linear output, keep in mind that there is typically no meaningful resolution from a linear output below 0.1 Torr.

For example, let’s say you have a PLC with 12-bit A/D resolution. You are getting 212 = 4096 steps. With 10 VDC linear output, you have: 10VDC/4096 = 2.4 mV/step which on a 0-10 VDC linear scale corresponds to 0.24 Torr.

The bottom line: when you want to read your vacuum level at the low end of a wide range device using an analog signal, specify the 1 volt VDC per decade log output.
______________________________________________________________________________

IES Technical Sales is an authorized distributor and representative for Teledyne Hastings Instruments of Hampton, VA. For more information Contact

Teledyne Hastings Instruments

[ Posted 2020-10]
Introducing the newest generation of mass flow meters and controllers.

Teledyne Hastings Instruments 300 Vue

[Posted 2020-12]
Certified LabView driver for the 300VUE can now be downloaded at no charge from the National Instruments (NI) website here.  LabView is a visual program language that allows users to develop control/monitoring software. Our new drivers allow programmers to quickly integrate our products into their systems. And, since

Telemark

[Posted 2021-10]
Telemark now offers recirculating cryochillers for cannibis extraction.  Systems include Cryochiller, refrigerant lines, and cooling coil. Successive batches of ethanol can be cooled from room temperature to -40C in approximately 35 minutes (initial cool-down of tank and first batch of ethanol requires approximately 50 minutes).

Watlow 

[ Posted October 2020 ]
Watlow FLUENT In-Line Heaters

*Small, lightweight, robust heater construction
*High watt density, low mass
*Internal thermocouple for high limit control
*Integrated solution replaces multiple components

House water does the heavy lifting for many cooling applications throughout industrial and semiconductor fab manufacturing facilities; but there are a wide range of applications that require or benefit from a 'point of use' or 'process' temperature control unit.

Advantages of using chillers for process cooling include:

• The ability to operate across a range of ambient conditions at variable loads, from -20C to +70C
• The ability to maintain constant and precise control of the process temperature, to +/- 1° degree C
• The cooling fluid is delivered directly to the application heat source
• Cooling is independent of the ambient conditions
• The ability to minimize potential contamination of the process by using a closed-loop water circuit
• Reduced waste and cost of utility water
• High heat exchange capacity

Semiconductor thin film processing equipment typically utilizes a variety of sealing materials, depending on the application. FKM (e.g. Viton®), Buna, and Silicone are examples of commonly used materials that are widely available and relatively inexpensive. In limited cases a sealing application can be addressed with FVMQ (Fluorosilicone) or ‘High Performance FKM’ materials. The most demanding applications, such as aggressive gas plasmas or wet chemistries, or high temperatures, usually require an FFKM material, such as Kalrez®. FFKM seals are compatible with a wide range of chemicals, can hold up under temperatures as high as 327°C, and can resist aggressive plasma attack.

Thin film processes using ammonia, such as HDPCVD, SACVD, ALD, and FCVD are appropriate for the use of FFKM seals. However, even within the FFKM seals class, there are specific formulations that perform more favorably, so it is best to seek a recommendation

Valve design plays a huge role in the functioning of a vacuum system. Many factors need to be weighed when choosing the best type, including:

• Leak rate
• Conductance
• Application compatibility
• Expected service life
• Ease of maintenance
• Size
• Price

Ball valves, poppet valves, and gate valves all have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to these different factors; this 3 part blog will discuss each type so you can choose the best one for your application.

[su_row]
[su_column size="1/2" class="solution]

Gate Valves

Doug Pelleymounter, a Senior Applications Engineer with Advanced Energy ("AE") who focused mostly on high power PVD applications, has just announced his well-earned retirement after 22 years of service. This is a (mostly verbatim) re-post of Doug's story, from which a lot of practical knowledge can gained by anyone involved in vacuum thin film coating.

From Doug:

I’ve been asked to put not just 22 but over 40 years in the thin film industry into perspective, point out what I think have been significant innovations as well as steady drivers of development, and maybe even pass on a little advice.

Drastically Ramping Up Productivity

To start, let’s turn the clock back to the 1980s, when I was first getting involved with sputter deposition, coating processes, and process