PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge Cleaning System

The PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge Cleaning System is a compact, quick and easy to use standalone system. It is primarily designed for hydrophilization of TEM carbon support films which have the tendency to be hydrophobic. A glow discharge treatment with air will make the carbon film surface negatively charged hydrophilic which allows aqueous solution to spread easily.
With increasingly demanding imaging applications, using clean and consistent quality TEM grids and supports has become more important than ever. The PELCO easiGlow™ is an affordable and easy to operate glow discharge system for any TEM lab. The practical chamber size with its newly designed UC glow discharge head and adjustable stage with glass slide holder allows for easy loading and fast turnaround times. The system is fully microprocessor controlled and includes an intelligent touch screen device for operation and display of operation parameters. The PELCO easiGlow™ supports both hydrophilic and hydrophobic treatment with either negative or positive charge and includes two separately controlled gas inlets. The required vacuum level is set by an electronically controlled precision proportional valve. This novel approach eliminates manual setting with a needle valve. A soft venting procedure ensures that the TEM grids are not disturbed when the system is vented.

Glow Discharge Methods supported: Surface Condition Charge Atmosphere Hydrophilic Negative Air Hydrophilic Positive Air (with subsequent magnesium Acetate treatment) Hydrophobic Positive Alkylamine Hydrophobic Negative Methanol

Efficient glow discharge performance for the PELCO easiGlow™ with optimum pressure at given distance from sample to glow discharge head.

For one of the most common glow discharge applications, making TEM support films or grids hydrophilic using air, the PELCO easiGlow™ uses an automated and quick cycle with fully selectable parameters. The microprocessor controlled system also offers full manual control for all parameters and an advanced protocol programming feature for custom designed glow discharge applications. Parameters and protocols can be stored to facilitate consistent glow discharge results. Full list of specifications. For those labs which need both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface treatments on a regular base, a dual glow discharge system is available to avoid cross contamination of the glow discharge chambers. Hydrophobic surfaces are preferable when organic solvents are used.

Since the optimized vacuum level for glow discharge procedures is in the range of 0.45 to 1.1 mbar, we offer the affordable GD6 dual stage rotary vacuum pump designed for this pressure range.

Advantages of the PELCO easiGlow™ system:

• Precise and easy vacuum setting
• Short cycle times
• Consistent results
• Auto, programmed and manual mode
• Intuitive touch screen for display and operation
• Supports hydrophilic/hydrophobic and negative/positive modes
• Affordable, compact, standalone system

GD6 Rotary Vacuum Specifications Pumping speed 6.9m³/hr, 110l/min, 4 CFM @ 60Hz 5.6m³/hr, 93l/min, 3.8 CFM @ 50Hz Ultimate vacuum .27 mbar Vacuum connection KF16 Exhaust connection Compatible with 1/4" NPT Thread

Specifications of the PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge system