Our Thermal Gas Cracker enables the thermal dissociation of molecular gases, such as Hydrogen and Oxygen, using e-beam heating of a fine bore inert cracker tube via an oxygen resistant filament. The highly efficient catalytic nature of the instrument enables a low operating temperature, achieving significant gas dissociation (>70%). By contrast, rival Tungsten filament cracker designs are incompatible with reactive gases, use a higher temperature, and do not induce a high dissociation.
The source is UHV compatible. Water cooling ensures minimal outgassing, while the low gas flow and power requirements mean a very small heat load is added to the vacuum chamber.
The TGC can be supplied individually or integrated with any Nikalyte custom-built PVD system.
Key Features
- Ion free atomic species
- >70% gas dissociation
- Operatable with pressure below 5×10-4 torr
- Low power operation
Thermal Gas Cracker Specifications
| Mounting flange | NW40CF (2.75″ O.D.) |
| UHV compatible | Yes, bakeable to 250degC |
| In vacuum length | Standard 300mm (bespoke length available) |
| In-vacuum diameter | 32mm |
| Maximum cracking power | 75W (typical 30W to 40W) |
| Gas flow | 0 – 1sccm (typical 0.5sccm) |
| Gas regulation | By MFC or leak valve (optional) |
| Cracking efficiency | Up to 90% (hydrogen) Up to 60% (oxygen) |
| Capillary | W (hydrogen) Ir (oxygen) |
| Beam divergence | Approx. 15° half angle |
| Filament | W-Filament (2 mounted, 1 spare) |
| Cooling | Minimum water flow of 0.5 l/min |
| Cable length | 5m |
| Power supply | Single phase, 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz |
| Shutter | Integral manual or motorised shutter (optional) |