Test materials properties over the widest possible temperature range

The ASA can be used to test materials from -150 °C to 1000°C

The Alemnis Standard Assembly (ASA) can be configured in several ways to test materials in a wide range of environments and temperatures.

Key application areas:

• Nuclear materials
• Bio materials
• Metals processing
• Aerospace

The Low Temperature Module (LTM-CRYO) is retrofittable to the Alemnis Standard Assembly (ASA). It can be used in air but condensation may form on the sample surface so ideal operation should be in vacuum (e.g. inside a SEM). It comprises of independent tip and sample heating and cooling.

The Low Temperature Module (LTM-CRYO) consists of:

• One sample holder with cooling capability down to 120K (-150°C) (in vacuum);
• One indenter holder with cooling capability down to 120K (-150°C) (in vacuum);
• Three thermal sensors (resolution < 0.1 °C);
• Cooling braids, plate and tubing, incl. feedthroughs for the pipes;
• Copper cooling block for liquid nitrogen
• Electronics, cooling control, cables and connectors;
• SEM feedthroughs for power and temperature sensors;
• Low temperature control software (two independent temperature control loops: one for the sample, one for the indenter).

The high temperature module is retrofittable to Alemnis Indenter. It can be used in air up to 200°C. For higher temperature, the Indenter should operate in vacuum (e.g. inside a SEM). It comprises of independent tip and sample heating.

The High Temperature Module consists of:

• One sample holder with heating capability up to 400°C (in vacuum)
• One indenter holder with heating capability up to 400°C (in vacuum)
• Three thermal sensors (resolution < 0.1 °C)
• Cooling braids, plate and tubing, incl. feedthroughs for the pipes
• Water circulation and chiller;
• Electronics, heating power and control, cables and connectors;
• SEM feedthroughs for power and temperature sensors;
• High temperature control software (two independent temperature control loops: one for the sample, one for the tip).

The high temperature module is retrofittable to Alemnis Indenter. It can be used in air up to 200°C. For higher temperature, the Indenter should operate in vacuum (e.g. inside a SEM). It comprises of independent tip and sample heating.

The High Temperature Module consists of:

• One sample holder with heating capability up to 1000°C (in vacuum);
• One indenter holder with heating capability up to 1000°C (in vacuum);
• Three thermal sensors (resolution < 0.1 °C);
• Cooling braids, plate and tubing, incl. feedthroughs for the pipes;
• Water circulation and chiller;
• Electronics, heating power and control, cables and connectors;
• SEM feedthroughs for power and temperature sensors;
• High temperature control software (two independent temperature control loops: one for the sample, one for the tip).

The high temperature module is a heating stage specifically designed for Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) analysis of a heated sample. It is not mountable on an Alemnis Standard Assembly (ASA) but is used freestanding in any SEM.  It is designed for operation in vacuum and is optimized so that radiative heating of the sample is minimized at temperatures > 500°C to ensure the best possible EBSD analysis.

The High Temperature Module for EBSD consists of:

• One sample holder with heating capability up to 1000°C (in vacuum);
• One thermal sensor mounted on sample holder (resolution < 0.1 °C);
• Cooling connections and tubing, incl. feedthroughs for the pipes;
• Water circulation and chiller;
• Electronics, heating power and control, cables and connectors;
• SEM feedthroughs for power, cooling and temperature sensors;
• High temperature control software

Main Components:

• Displacement head: piezo actuated displacement head with integrated displacement sensor for closed loop operation. Maximum displacement 40 µm, displacement resolution < 1 nm;
• Load sensor: max. force: 0.5 N, typically 4 µN RMS noise;
• Sample versus indentation tip positioning: Piezoelectric XY+Z micro-positioning system for sample positioning and tip approach (26 mm range in X and Y, 26 mm range in Z), with integrated position sensors for closed loop operation (< 2 nm resolution);
• 5 standard stubs;
• all cables and connectors for in air operation.

For integration in SEM, additional modifications may be required, such as custom flanges, cabling, mounts and connectors. This is typically quoted on a case-by-case basis.