TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

DECEMBER 2006 | VOLUME 9 | NUMBER 12 69

Powder testingmade easyFreeman Technology has launched a

new data analysis software package for

its FT4 universal powder tester, used to

measure the permeability, compression,

and shear of materials.

The FT4-DA (V4) software is capable

of delivering a comprehensive analysis

of data in both graphical and report

format. Enhanced graphics and

improved features enable sophisticated

presentation of results, allowing data

comparison. The package enables

rapid interpretation of results and

incorporates a redesigned, simplified

user interface together with the latest

available functions. It can be used

on any computer and FT4 users can

upgrade at no extra cost.

Contact: www.freemantech.co.uk

Sputtering targetedBekaert has introduced products for

thin-film deposition on glass. The latest

Rotatable Sputter Products for display

glass include the Bekaert Flextrack®

AMBV2 Adjustable Magnet Bar that

improves thickness uniformity and

material use; the Bekaert SiAl 9/13

sputter targets, which have a longer

lifetime than current targets as a result

of their increased thickness; and the

Bekaert ACV3 End Block which has

been produced to enable operational

reliability over long production cycles

without interruption in the process.

Contact: www.bekaert.com/bac

Ultraviolet goes to extremesThe Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Light

Source Model 642 is a soft X-ray light

source from McPherson. The source

uses a filament to produce electrons

that impact upon a target anode,

causing excitation of the atomic inner

shells, leading to decay and emission.

The output emission spectrum of the

source follows the material valence

band structure of the anode. Anodes

are interchangeable to obtain desired

wavelengths, and are available as

accessories for the source.

The Model 642 gives a stable and

debris-free output.

It is suitable for applications including

metrology of EUV lithography materials

and multilayer or grazing incidence

optical systems.

Contact: www.McPhersonInc.com

Spectrofluorometer gets sensitiveHORIBA Jobin Yvon has introduced a new bench-top

spectrofluorometer, the FluoroMax®-4. The instrument

has a sensitivity greater than 400 000 cps for the

water Raman peak at 397 nm and industry-leading

signal-to-noise ratio of 3000:1. The FluoroMax®-4

comes with optional accessories such as automatic

polarizers, stopped-flow devices, and autotitrators.

Peltier heating/cooling is available for varying sample

temperature from cryogenic to high temperatures.

An optical time-correlated single-photon counting

(TCSPC) accessory is also available for fast

fluorescence lifetime measurements. The accessory

incorporates the pulsed NanoLED solid-state light

source that is interchangeable and intense, covering

wavelengths ranging between 265 nm and the near-

infrared.

Contact: www.jobinyvon.com

Interface helps model buildingCOMSOL Multiphysics 3.3 is a modeling and virtual

prototyping software for engineers featuring a new

Model Tree user interface, that includes interactive

meshing and merging components to enable model

building. The Model Tree interface gives an overview

by producing a menu-tree view, allowing the user

to navigate the model, modifying context-specific

features and settings. All variables, parameters,

constants, and expressions can be accessed from the

tree. The COMSOL Multiphysics dialog boxes enable

users to select ready-made couplings and modify

the interface according to geometry requirements.

Researchers can also build up components with

specific boundaries and definitions, then merge them

into a comprehensive assembly. The package can

handle CAD assemblies and users can import material

properties directly from the Matweb database.

Contact: www.comsol.com

Hot tips for AFMAnasys Instruments has unveiled a Heated Tip-Atomic

Force Microscope imaging for its Nano-TA systems.

Users can image in tapping mode at sub-20-nm level

with variable temperature control.

The heated tip can be used to study surface

physical changes such as the glass transition and

recrystallization. Thermal properties can be studied

locally by placing the tip on a feature and initiating

a heating process. Deflection of the probe will track

surface events such as expansion or contraction at

glass transition points. The heated-tip capability

is expected to have applications in polymer and

composite studies.

Contact: www. anasysinstruments.com

Bespoke nanoclusters An ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) nanodeposition system

with two nanocluster generators has been released by

Oxford Applied Research. The instrument can produce

electrically charged, mass-selected clusters coated with

selected materials using a magnetron and electron-

beam evaporator.

High-energy impacted nanoclusters are deposited on a

manipulator which has heating, rotation, and electrical

biasing capabilities for further studies. A wide range of

clustered materials can be prepared for research into

the properties of nanoscale structures and industrial

applications such as catalysis and highly adherent

films.

Contact: www.oaresearch.co.uk

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