This is a easy-to-use basic instrument for gold coating of SEM specimens. It has fully variable current control, a digital process timer with pause option, a variable height specimen table, a hinged top plate and an O-ring sealed vacuum chamber. The control allows the sputter current to be set independently of the gas pressure, which is adjusted separately by a manual leak valve. Coverage and grain size are optimised for any specimen. The cool magnetron type head with 57mm diameter target gives efficient sputtering with minimal heating. Coating time is set by a timer with a digital readout and stored in the memory. The vacuum status and sputter current are displayed on the panel meter.
A modular desktop design combines sputter control unit, pumping system and thickness monitor into an area of only 400 x 600mm. It is fully integrated using a quick release all-metal coupling system. The adjustable height specimen table will accept up to 12 pin type stubs or can be used as a platform for other types of stubs and specimens. A vacuum feed through is provided for the optional film thickness monitor.