Scanning Electron Microscopy Sample Preparation
Luxor Gold, Platinum, and Carbon Sputter Coaters
Sputter coating is a process used to deposit a thin layer of material onto a substrate. In the case of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), this technique is used with metals such as gold or platinum to prepare samples for analysis, offering a range of advantages in improving conductivity, reducing electric charging effects, and even bolstering the level of structural protection against the electron beam. The main principle of sputter coating involves generating a metal plasma that is deposited on the sample. Spraying must be done in a meticulous and controlled manner, which is why an automated and accurate coating is a much more efficient process than a user-dependent one.
High Quality & Consistency
Produce uniform gold or platinum coatings with excellent adhesion and conductivity, ensured by sophisticated vacuum systems and precise gas flow controls.
Automation & Versatility
Automated coating processes in air or argon complete within only a few minutes, providing a quick route to SEM analysis and helping standardize coating efficiency.
Ease of Use & User Safety
Rigorous quality control and testing ensure that users can always rely on a safe, easy method of homogeneous sputter coating without external interference.
Download the Sputter Coating Overview:
See available configurations
Luxor Product Options
The LUXOR sputter coating systems present an automated and regulated method of depositing consistent layers of gold, platinum or carbon. The purpose of the sputtering process is to reduce the electric charging of SEM samples and attain the highest quality of imaging possible. Due to the high conductivity and small grain size of both metals, they offer an enhanced level of secondary electron emission and edge resolution. It is worth noting that platinum has a distinct advantage in ultrahigh resolution applications involving field electron emission (FEG-SEM).
LUXORAu | Gold Sputter Coater
The LUXOR gold sputtering device, LUXORAu, is a specialized tool designed to facilitate the deposition of fine-grain gold coatings ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers in thickness onto scanning electron microscopy samples. This instrument is highly regarded for its ability to produce consistent and uniform gold layers on specimens, thereby providing users with a high degree of reproducibility in their experimental results. The LUXOR gold is capable of enhancing sample electric conduction and significantly boosting secondary electron emission, making it an ideal choice for applications requiring magnification up to 100,000x.
- 100,000x magnification applications
- Strongly increases sample electric conduction
- Boosts secondary electron emission
LUXORPt | Platinum Sputter Coater
The LUXOR platinum sputtering apparatus, LUXORPt, is a sputtering device made for field emission electron microscopy — fully compatible with desktop SEMs with a field emission source. Platinum coating is suitable for cases requiring significantly increased magnifications because of high electron emission and the coating thinness (roughly half the thicknesses needed in gold coatings) associated with this metal film. Rather than a vulnerable turbomolecular pump found in different platinum coaters, the LUXORPt employs a dual stage vacuum pump. Beam-sensitive samples receive an extra layer of protection from damage as well with this sputter coater.
- 1,000,000x magnification applications
- Typically relevant in FEG-SEM for high resolution images
- Various metal compatibilities (both gold and platinum)
- Significantly boosts secondary electron emission
LUXORC | Carbon Sputter Coater
The LUXORC is primarily designed for chemical analysis applications (such as EDX and EDS) in electron microscopy, where sample charging can pose challenges. It utilizes a Bradley type carbon rod evaporation source in air to create a uniform thin carbon layer on the samples. This coating process is fully automated; once your samples are loaded, you simply select the desired coating time and press the start button. This user-friendly operation significantly reduces the likelihood of human error, allowing new operators and lab personnel to use the device after just a few minutes of basic training.
See available sample holders
LUXOR Sample Holders for Sputter Coating
LUXOR sample holders are designed to support a wide range of specimen types and sizes for reliable gold, platinum, and carbon coating. From standard SEM pin stubs to resin-embedded and cylindrical samples, each holder provides secure positioning and convenient sample handling during preparation and coating.
Standard Sample Holder
The LUXOR Standard Sample Holder is supplied as a standard accessory with every LUXOR Au and LUXOR Pt sputter coater.
The holder accommodates:
7 x 12.5 mm diameter or 3 x 25 mm diameter pin stubs
Its open, easily accessible sample preparation surface simplifies sample mounting and handling. Three elastomer feet provide excellent stability during sample preparation, allowing specimens to be prepared directly on the holder without the need for repositioning before coating.
Each pin stub is securely retained in the holder, helping prevent samples from becoming loose or falling out when the holder is transferred into the sputter coater.
Sample Holder for Cylindrical Samples
The LUXOR Sample Holder for Cylindrical Samples is designed for cylindrical specimen stubs. These stub formats are commonly used with Hitachi and JEOL electron microscopes.
Diameters of: 9, 12, and 25 mm.
The holder provides three mounting positions and supports different combinations of 9, 12, and 25 mm diameter cylindrical stubs. This flexibility allows laboratories working with multiple SEM platforms or specimen formats to coat samples efficiently using a single holder.
Sample Holder for Resin-Embedded Samples
The LUXOR Sample Holder for Resin-Embedded Samples is designed for individual mounted specimens.
Diameters ranging from: 25 to 40 mm
Height ranging from: 10 to 50 mm
The sample is secured using three adjustable screws, providing stable positioning during the coating process.
The versatile clamping design also makes this holder suitable for large, irregularly shaped, or non-standard samples that cannot be mounted directly on conventional SEM pin stubs.
Sample Holder for Multiple Resin-Embedded Samples
The LUXOR Sample Holder for Multiple Resin-Embedded Samples accommodates up to three resin-mounted specimens.
Diameters ranging from: 15 to 25 mm
Maximum height: 20 mm
This configuration is particularly useful for mineralogy, mining, geological, and metallurgical laboratories, where polished resin-mounted specimens are frequently prepared and analyzed in batches.
By allowing multiple samples to be coated simultaneously, the holder can improve workflow efficiency for routine metal and carbon coating applications prior to SEM and microanalysis.
