XL-R MultiCentre

XL-R MultiCentre

The XL-R series is a truly modular dual bellows stage. Based on the proven design of the multistage series of manipulators, a full range of XY and Z stage modules are available which are interchangeable, resulting in complete flexibility.

The XL-R can be configured to suit all industry standard sample holders and provides a range of manipulation, heating, cooling and advanced options detailed below. 

Key features

  • Dual bellows with 3, 4 or 5 axes
  • Up to +/- 40mm XY Motion
  • Dual-point support for ultimate stability
  • 100-1000mm Z Motion
  • Puck, Flag or ESCA sample handling
  • E-beam heating, LN2 cooling plus biasing options

With the addition of an integrated dual-point support, the XL-R series offers greatly increased stability, making it an ideal choice for surface analytical and synchrotron end-station applications where long travel and stability are essential.

All stage modules use proven kinematic designs that eliminate thermal stressing problems, such that even after repeated bakeout at 250°C, smooth operation is assured.

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Technical Specifcations

MODEL Puck-Style Flag-Style ESCA Stub
Mounting flange CF100 152mm (6") OD CF / CF150 203mm (8") OD CF
X-Y travel +/- 19mm or +/- 40mm
Z travel 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 800 and 1000mm
Polar rotation +/- 180° (+/- 100° with LHe option)
Azimuthal rotation Continuous with LN2 cooling (+/- 100° with LHe cooling) N/A
Maximum sample size 25mm diameter 15mm x 18mm 14mm diameter
Resistive heating > 900°C > 900°C > 900°C
e-beam heating > 1200°C > 1200°C  N/A
LN2 cooling < -150°C  (<-160°C typically achieved) < -140°C
LHe cooling Not available <20K (typically 15K) N/A
Sample current measurement Isolation  > +/- 1000 V Resistance > 500 MOhm.

Sample Transfer Example Using Magnetically-coupled Transfer Arm 

 

Sample Transfer Example Using Magnetically-coupled Wobble Stick

 

Configuration options

Motion Sample holder Heating Cooling Advanced stage options

Choice of 4 or 5 axis configurations

Both the XL-T and XL-R range of multicentres are available in 4 or 5 axis configurations to suit the application requirements. 

4 axis (X,Y,Z,R1) 5 axis (X,Y,Z,R1,R2)
The 4 axis option provides a range of X, Y and Z movements with magnetically coupled rotary drive providing the polar (primary) rotation. The 5 axis option provides a range of X, Y and Z movements with magnetically coupled rotary drives providing both the polar (primary) rotation and azimuthal (secondary) rotation.

Choice of industry standard sample holders

Both the XL-T and XL-R range of multicentres can be configured to accept industry standard sample holders (detailed below).

Puck Flag Esca Stub
25.4mm (d) x 10.9mm (h) 15mm (l) x 19mm (w) 10mm (d) x 17mm (h)

Choice of resistive and e-beam heating options

Both the XL-T and XL-R range of multicentres can provide resistive sample heating to 900oC or e-beam sample heating to 1,200oC (typical values).

Resistive heating to 900oC E-beam heating to 1,200oC
Robust self-supporting Ta foil heater, for minimum outgassing and large ratio of heated to open surface area ensuring heater longevity. The filament is also Yttria coated to provide additional robustness in oxidising atmospheres and for protection in the event of an accidental vent. Note: heating limited to 600°C with LHe option. For higher temperature requirements the e-beam heating option achieves sample temperatures up to 1200°C. To upgrade to e-beam heating simply requires a change of power supply unit.
Click graph to view large version of typical heating performance.
 

Choice of LN2 and LHe cooling options

Both the XL-T and XL-R range of multicentres can typically provide LN2 sample cooling to -160oC or LHe sample cooling to 15K (-258oC) (typical values).

LN2 cooling to -150oC LHe cooling to <20K (typically 15K)
Innovative LN2 cooling module provides sample cooling down to <-150°C with continuous azimuthal rotation and temperature measurement. Typically the LN2 cooling can achieve sample temperatures to <-160°C. The LN2 circuit is routed through the hollow shaft with the coils inside the service collar to minimise the swept volume of the stage head.
 		 Based on UHV Design’s own continuous flow cryostat, cryogenic temperatures below 20K can be achieved in less than one hour.

Advanced stage options

Thanks to the unique uncluttered design of the stage it is possible to add the following advanced stage options:

Single flag-style parking position  Two level parking positions
5-axis flag-style heat / cool stage with the following additional features:

(a) Single flag-style sample parking position which can be loaded from either side by a wobble stick, is electrically floating for biasing and sample current measurement, and can be cooled 

(b) Toggle mechanism which can be operated by a wobble stick to disengage the thermocouple from the back of the sample plate. Normally this functionality is accomplished by the forks on the magnetic transfer arm which engage in the end of the manipulator and disengage the thermocouple in the process 		 4-axis flag-style heat / cool stage with a 2 level parking stage (c), both electrically floating and coolable into which can be loaded from either side:

- 2 standard flag samples,
- or two direct current heating flag samples, or 
- a mixture thereof
- a special flag-style sample plate with a QMB (Quartz Micro-balance) FTM (Film Thickness Monitor) mounted on it, or
-a special flag-style sample plate with an e-beam heater module which when loaded into the lower position can be used to heat a standard flag-style sample in the upper level to 1200°C

 

Flag mounted STM tip holder parking stage Large flag-style parking position
5-axis flag-style heat / cool stage showing  a custom parking position for the conditioning of flag mounted STM tips (d) 4-axis flag-style heat / cool stage  - showing an additional parking position for a large (30x30mm) flag-style sample plate (e), which is also electrically isolated for biasing and sample current measurement, and can be cooled

If you like to request a quotation please complete our MultiCentre questionnaire which can be download using the link below and when completed please send to sales@uhvdesign.com:

Download MultiCentre questionnaire