[3dem] carbon coaters /glow discharge

[Reinhard Rachel]

Since > 20 years, we have carbon coater unit and glow discharge separated in two machines. I think this might be more expensive, but more flexible. And intuitively, I prefer to have these two methods separated .... IMO, it is nice to have the glow discharger / plasma cleaner (Harrick: this is the unit we use) as clean as possible. 
second, next to the - still rather new LEica ACE units, which are well made, I think - there are other coaters on the market. We have the Cressington Turbo Carbon Coater 208 in operation since 5 years now. For us, great value for money. In our hands, it is easy to handle (by a number of people; no problems, so far), and we have one-page-manual for our users - pretty nice. With quartz crystal thickness monitor. You can have this unit fitted with additional glow discharger ... we do not go this route. 
In addition, on a conference, I have seen the rather new Safematic (swiss) coating units (it came onto the market after we bought the Cressington). Here, carbon coating looked well controlled and organized (IMO), and I know of at least one colleague who has bought it and who is very satisfied. 
It also depends on the local distributor and after-sales costs and support ...
kind regards,
Reinhard

-- 
Prof. Dr. Reinhard Rachel
University of Regensburg
Centre for EM / Anatomy
Faculty of Biology & Preclin. Med.
Universitaetsstrasse 31
D-93053 Regensburg - Germany
tel +49 941 943 -2837, -1720
mail reinhard.rachel at biologie.uni-regensburg.de
office: VKL 3.1.29 
 
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