Vacuum and Materials The vacuum and materials science laboratory is equipped with a variety of chambers, vacuum pumps, gauges, mass spectrometers and other peripherals that can be assembled into various test and growth systems. Pumping systems include ion, diffusion, sorption, mechanical and turbomolecular types. Chambers include UHV capable multiport test and analysis chambers and bell jar and RF PECVD deposition systems. Saxet also employs numerous physical electronics diagnostic tools including a cylindrical mirror analyzer for Auger analysis with optional excitation via a grazing incidence electron gun. Two dedicated UHV systems are used for III-V and amorphous silicon photocathode testing. Shown above is the one used for GaAs photocathodes.
On-site materials characterization can be performed with VIS and IR based microscopy including scanning thermography with image capture. Materials preparation tools include diamond saws and drills, slurry cutter as well as polishing capabilities. A class 100 laminar flow table provides a clean environment for sensitive equipment assembly. Saxet Surface Science also has access to numerous surface probes and analytical tools available at hourly-fee rates via the Microelectronics Research Center of the University of Texas at Austin. Through this relationship, Saxet personnel have access to scanning electron microscopes, profilometers, and other scanning probe metrology equipment such as atomic force microscopy.
Optics and Lasers
Optical based sensors and sources are available for use covering spectral ranges from UV through mid-IR. Optical inspection equipment in the Saxet Surface Science laboratory comprises high-end stereo VIS and IR microscopes including two with hot stages and one with direct thermal radiation readout. Sources include multiple gas-laser systems including red and green HeNe types. Various diode lasers, LEDs and discharge tubes provide a range of spectral and coherence abilities. QTH and Xe arc light sources provide broadband excitation as well as wavelength specific excitation when coupled to one of three monochromators. Additionally, Saxet Surface Science stocks a wide range of optical sensors, meters and opto-mechanical components.
Chemistry
The chemistry facilities at Saxet consist of a full wet chemistry workstation for performing simple procedures and analysis. The station is equipped with hot plate/stirrers, microcentrifugation, water baths, an ultrasonicator, ovens, chemical storage cabinets and other ancillary equipment. Analytical instruments include VIS through UV spectrometers.
Glass and Materials Machining Facilities
Saxet Surface Science has access to exhaustive glass fabrication capabilities in addition to its basic machining facilities. Glass machining and fabrication abilities include a multi-burner horizontal glass lathe for general work, a small single-armed horizontal lathe for glass-to-seal production as well as a vertical sealing lathe used in CRT and similarly aspected tube development. Numerous hand-held splicing and annealing torches provide the ability to work odd-sized and -shaped parts. Glass drilling is done with a low speed slurry cutter or with low speed diamond boring tools operated in a modified drill press with variable speed drive. Processing systems include diffusion and mechanical pumped processing stations. Getter flashing and gun part vacuum firing is via one of three RF systems. Glass tube baking is done with one of several ovens or kilns or through high pressure noble gas bombarding using an iron-core current moderated pole pig step-up transformer. Tube conditioning and test power supplies provide the means for processing before, during or after sealing, operation and life-testing.