Support for the PC137 and PCMap1 Interface

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Joe Caterinicchio

As of May 1, 2016, RBD will be discontinuing support for the PC137 and PCMap1 interface boards for legacy PHI / Perkin-Elmer systems. If you’re still using your PC137 and.or PCMap1 interface board, you’ll have a number of options for keeping your system up and running.

Why we’re discontinuing support:

Both the PC137 and PCMap1 are ISA cards. The ISA interface was designed in the days of DOS computers, and support for the interface has been waning since Windows XP. While these legacy interfaces could still serve their purpose (even at ISA’s slow speed (by today’s standards), security issues have caused Microsoft to drop support for ISA libraries in their latest development environments.

What it means if you are running these legacy interfaces:

If your PC is up and running with the PC137/PCMap1 interface(s), you of course don’t need to do anything right away. However, you won’t be able to upgrade Windows, and finding a replacement PC with ISA slots can be challenging (although they are available).

You also will not be able to run that latest (or any future versions) of AugerScan and AugerMap. Both applications are still being updated with new features and bug fixes, however without available ISA libraries they will no longer support communications with either boards.

Replacing the PC137 and PCMap1 Interfaces

If you chose to update your PC137 / PCMap interface, you’ll be replacing them with a single PCI or PCIe interface board, and an RBD147 interface unit. The RBD147 unit provides all the breakout interfaces (such as DR11) for the individual PHI units. (The PCMap1 is replaced by the PCMap2 interface, which is part of the RBD147 and is physically located inside the unit).

For most systems* you can also choose replace the PC interface card(s) with a PCIe interface (as opposed to the PCI). This board is smaller, uses less power, and serves as an alternative when a PCI slot is not available. The PCIe upgrade also utilizes the same PC147 breakout box.

*The PCIe option is not available for systems with the PHI 79-170 scanning interfaces, such as the 660.

Whatever you chose, be assured your system is still future-proofed and compatible with the latest PC architecture and Windows version. More information on RBD’s upgrades can be found here.

04-202 SED detector flange

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Randy

The model 97 SED preamp which is used on PHI scanning auger surface analysis systems converts secondary electron current into a video signal. It is designed so that it can be mounted onto a vacuum flange which houses a Channeltron electron multiplier. The 97 SED preamp housing is made of aluminum and if extreme care is not taken when mounting or removing the preamp from the detector flange it is possible to crack one of the three electrical feedthroughs. The picture below shows a broken connector on a 04-202 SED detector flange.

broken-ceramic-feedthrough

One of the difficulties of mounting the 97 SED preamp to the detector flange is that you can’t really see what you are doing as you slide the preamp over the flange. There are three larger holes inside the 97 SED preamp mount which go over the electrical feedthroughs on the flange. It is important that the electrical feedthroughs clear the holes on the 97 SED preamp mount and that the preamp is flush on the flange before the mounting screws are tightened. The mouthing screws should be tightened finger tight while holding the 97 SED preamp firmly against the flange, and then a little bit tighter which a screwdriver.

One way to make sure that the feedthroughs are not touching the holes in the preamp mount is to take the cover off the 97 SED before you mount it, and then put the cover back on after the preamp has been mounted.

Or, you can replace the cover with a piece of Plexiglas. In the pictures below I have modified a 97 SED preamp by removing the cover and using the cover as a template to mark a piece of Plexiglas so that it is the same size as the original cover. I drilled holes in the Plexiglas and then mounted it on the 97 SED preamp.

With a clear Plexiglas cover on the 97 SED preamp it is very easy to install the preamp onto the 04-202 SED detector flange with less chance of breaking one of the feedthroughs. And the Plexiglas still provides user protection from the high voltage which is present during normal operation of the preamp.

So whether you remove the cover when mounting the 97 SED preamp and then re-install the cover, or replace the metal cover with a Plexiglas one, by being able to see the feedthroughs as you install the 97 SED preamp you can safely mount the preamp with less risk of damage to the 04-202 detector flange.

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CASAXPS Scofield RSFs

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Randy

Neal Fairley of CASA XPS has found that it is possible to quantify PHI (Physical Electronics) XPS data using Scofield cross-sections modified for escape depth and angular distribution. The Scofield-based library is then populated with universal RSFs applicable to PHI data. Videos on the CASAXPA website illustrate this point and how all XPS instruments can now use Scofield derived RSFs regardless of which instrument or manufacturer is involved.

Below you will find links to videos that show CASAXPS in action. CASAXPS can help you quantify your XPS data and achieve accurate interpretation of the data. For more information on CASAXPS in the U.S. please contact RBD Instruments at sale@rbdinstruments.com or by calling 541 330 0723.

I hope that you enjoy the videos!

Simulating Spectra:

Start Video Click Here or Click Here for mp4 Mode

Quantification of XPS Spectra:

Transmission function, Escape Depth Correction and Relative Sensitivity Factors

Start Video Click Here or Click Here for mp4 Mode

Quantification and the Influence of Overlay Material on Substrate Information

Start Video Click Here or Click Here for mp4 Mode

Quantification of PHI Versa Probe Spectra

Start Video Click Here or Click Here for mp4 Mode

Thin Film Estimate by Hill Equation:

Start Video Click Here or Click Here for mp4 Mode