| Online Catalog | Fast Entry | Order History | Get Quote | View Cart | Logout |
|
Controls and Measurement |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The next generation e-Vap® Programmable Sweep Controller has taken electron
beam sweep capabilities to a higher level in versatility and practicality. It
combines years of customer feedback with the latest advances in electronics
technology. It possesses profound advancements from its predecessor in terms of
functionality and ruggedness. It is designed with both the coating engineer and
coating operator in mind. Electron beam control is dynamically precise allowing
the user optimum ability to deposit dielectrics and metals in the most demanding
of applications. The strength of the sweep controller lies in its ability to
easily adapt to different evaporation process requirements, using its many
expandable sweep patterns. Four predefined sweep patterns and up to 95
additional user-defined patterns can be stored. The predefined patterns include
CIRCLE, SPIRAL, FIGURE 8, and LINE patterns. Each of the 95 user defined
patterns may consist of up to 208 XY points with a different beam dwell time for
each beam point. The user interface includes a large, vibrant color LCD display
with six function keys and a smooth rolling adjustment knob. A handheld PS/2
device/trackball is provided which allows beam maneuverability for crucible
material preparation and evaporation. For computer-automated vacuum systems, a
detailed rear panel digital I/O port along with a standard RS-232 interface
allows access to the most important sweeper functions and status signals. An
optional interactive Windows program is available allowing desktop sweep pattern
design and virtually unlimited sweep pattern storage. |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||
| Sweep Pattern Types | ||||||
|
All of these patterns may have their sweep characteristics and
parameters highly modified. These parameters include SPEED, PHASE, and
POWER PROFILE. SPEED is defined as the speed of which the beam travels to
complete one cycle of a given pattern. The fundamental frequency of
beam sweep is speed. SPEED settings are Fast, Medium, and Slow. Fast
is considered the base time, Medium takes twice as long, and Slow
takes five times as long. PHASE is defined as angular pattern rotation per cycle. The pattern is rotated a few degrees after each sweep pattern cycle. PHASE settings are Fast (50 degree steps), Medium (20 degree steps), Slow (10 degree steps), and None. POWER PROFILE is defined as speed of the beam based on its distance from the center of the crucible. It allows the beam to sweep faster through the center of the crucible than at the outer edges. The parameter of a pattern crossing a crucible too many times, thus resulting in “tunneling” of the material, may be adjusted to obtain “even” beam temperature distribution across the crucible surface. POWER PROFILE settings range from 1 to 1/R2. A setting of 1 is considered as the beam dwell time, being the same for all points. A setting of 1/R2 is considered the beam dwell times being four times greater on the outer edges of the crucible. Adjusting the profile between 1 and 1/R2 (twenty possible adjustments) is a new feature for the sweep controller and adds coating process optimization to this already valuable parameter.
|
||||||
| Select Pattern | ||||||
|
|
The select pattern allows the user to view patterns 1 through 99. All patterns may be started and/or edited from here as well. | |||||
| Circle Pattern | ||||||
|
|
A CIRCLE pattern makes the beam sweep in concentric circles beginning at the outer edge of the crucible and steps closer to the center of the crucible with each revolution. Upon reaching the center, a reverse cycle begins and the beam sweep pattern continues. | |||||
| Spiral Pattern | ||||||
|
|
A SPIRAL pattern makes the beam sweep in a continuous spiral, beginning at the outer edge of the crucible and advancing toward the center and then back out again. | |||||
| Figure Eight Pattern | ||||||
|
|
The FIGURE 8 pattern makes the beam sweep in a well-defined figure 8 path across the crucible. | |||||
| Display Modes | ||||||
| Line Pattern | ||||||
|
|
A LINE pattern makes the beam sweep in a straight line across the crucible. As in all the predefined patterns (circle, spiral, figure 8 and line), the sweep amplitude, speed, phase, power profile, and XY offset can be readily adjusted. There is also easy access to selecting patterns and scrolling through different screen menus. | |||||
| System Parameters | ||||||
|
|
The System Parameter screen allows the XY offset to be adjusted and stored. Linearity and contrast adjustments can be implemented from here as well. Foreground and background color selections can also be made from this screen and will affect all subsequent patterns. The maximum allowable sweep amplitude current can be set here for the pattern. You can also designate the coating machine’s name as well as adjust the sensitivity of the mouse from this screen. | |||||
| User Pattern | ||||||
|
|
User Pattern: Ninety-six (96) user-defined patterns, completely customizable by the user, can be designed and stored into the sweep controller for instant access. Each of the user-defined patterns can contain up to 208 beam location points. Each point can possess its own dwell time ranging from 1 to 100mS. Patterns can be designed via front panel or through RS-232. If designed via the front panel, a color interactive matrix panel is displayed for user feedback. It displays a crucible-shaped area showing all selected points (see the Interactive Matrix Panel screen shown on the left.) Custom naming of the generated pattern, adding and deleting points/patterns, and modifying dwell times is all done on this same screen. A new feature of the sweep controller allows the user to access the SPEED function as well. Choices are Fast, Medium, and Slow. | |||||
| Customize the Pattern / Controller Name | ||||||
|
The sweep controller has the ability to custom name each individual
sweep pattern, whether pre-defined or user-defined. For example, when
you choose a specific pattern for a specific evaporation material, it
may be desirable to name the pattern after after the evaporation
material, such as "QuartzPattern" or "TitaniumPattern". The sweep controller also has the ability to store a name for itself. If your coating machine is called "Coating Machine One", You can customize the name of the sweep controller as, "Coatingmachine1." The sweep controller also has the ability to assign a specific pattern number (1 to 99) to a specific crucible number or crucible product. This is advantageous for users who always have a certain evaporation material in a certain crucible pocket. This allows the user to have saved custom sweep and beam parameters for a given crucible pocket. This is beneficial since most deposition controllers have the ability to invoke crucible pockets during a coating cycle. |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
