Model 502/2B/HT/TS/QW with integrated small dipping well, two barriers for symmetric film compression, hand-held terminal, temperature sensor, and integrated quartz window in the trough bottom.

Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett Film Equipment

Only few configurations are listed below. The 500 series is the first truly modular system. Within seconds you can change the trough for a different one for the desired experiment, without loosing accuracy. These are the most compact and “open” systems on the market. Every system can fit under a microscope or can be integrated in your other research equipment.

501 Research Langmuir trough

Computer controlled 600 cm² trough with one barrier for compression. Trough can be separated from barrier movement mechanism for cleaning or for replacement with different troughs (patented). Barrier velocity range 0.001 - 8 mm/s, DC motor with built-in tachometer and analogue feed back loop for vibration free smooth motion, 0.005 mm accuracy position sensor, self-calibrating position (patented). Wilhelmy type surface pressure sensor with 0.05 mN/m accuracy. Temperature control of the water subphase by circulating thermostatic water below the trough. Can work under a microscope or as a stand-alone unit. Separate microprocessor controller with RS232 serial computer interface, 22 bit Analogue-to-Digital Converters and 14 bit Digital-to-Analogue Converters. Sophisticated computer software. Upgrade ready for dipper.

502 Research Langmuir-Blodgett trough with small integrated dipping well

Same as model 501 but with full featured 120 mm stroke dipper and dipping well of 13 mm depth and 30 mm width situated at one end of the trough. The entire trough is machined from one piece of PTFE, which prevents contamination from seals and improves homogeneous temperature distribution. The depth is adequate for most experimental techniques. Includes dipper with velocity range 0.001 - 10 mm/s, DC motor with built-in tachometer and analogue feed back loop for vibration free motion with very low unevenness, 0.005 mm accuracy position sensor, self-calibrating position. Can work under a microscope or as a stand-alone unit.

503 Advanced Langmuir-Blodgett film deposition system with big dipping well and built-in temperature control

Same as model 502 but with large dipping well and built-in temperature control based on Peltier elements (patented). Dipping well with 42 mm diameter and 45 mm depth. Temperature control in the range 5 - 40^OC is software limited. Accuracy of control 0.05^OC. Can measure isochores and isobars. Can cycle temperature at fixed area or pressure. The system has 2 built-in thermometers, one is in quartz ampoule for immersion in the trough. Can work under a microscope or as a stand-alone unit.

NEW!! µicro200 Langmuir trough (patent pending)

Specially developed for work under microscope or integrated in other research equipment. Minimum subphase volume. Surface area of 200 cm2 and circular shape for symmetrical compression from all sides combined with the trough depth of only 0.1 mm yields a volume of only 2 ml. The trough is ideal for study by fluorescence or other type of microscopy, UV-VIS and Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray and neutron scattering techniques of monolayers at the air-water interface, adsorbed and absorbed proteins or other type of macromolecules, surfactant films, etc. Miniature type surface pressure sensor is used.

Options

2B Two Barriers (recommended)

Second barrier for symmetrical compression of monolayer from both ends of the trough. Decreases film flow and the number of defects. Increases accuracy of surface pressure measurement eliminating Wilhelmy plate tilt. For higher quality film coverage of the substrate from both sides. For the Langmuir-Blodgett film systems the dipping well is relocated in the trough centre. To be ordered with the system.

BT Built-in Temperature control

Built-in temperature control based on Peltier elements (patented). Temperature control in the range 5 - 40 ^OC (20 ^OC ambient), accuracy of control 0.05^OC. Can measure isochores and isobars. The system has 2 built-in thermometers, one is in quartz ampoule for immersion in the trough. Can work under a microscope or as a stand alone unit. Order with the system.

TM Manual Tilt Mechanism

Between 0 and 90 deg. angle tilt of the dipper with readout. For optimisation of the deposition conditions. The tilt of the deposition module allows focusing the microscope at the meniscus region when some microscopy techniques are used. Should be ordered with the system.

HP Hand-held Panel (recommended)

With 8 digit 14 mm large alphanumeric LED and 4 line 20 characters LCD displays, specialised keyboard, 3 m cable for remote control, water proof front. Longer cable is possible. Eliminates the need for computer if no data storage is required (preliminary data). Can be upgraded later on.

TC Transparent Cover

If the system is not integrated in another equipment this is a recommended option. Decreases dust contamination and water evaporation. Improves temperature control. Should be ordered with the system.

LD Large Dipping well

Diameter of 42 mm and depth of 45 mm. The size can be customised. For sizes up to 70 mm diameter and 100 depth the price remains. Machined from solid PTFE. In model 503 a small dipping well can be used and then this price should be deduced from the price of the system.

TS Temperature Sensor (recommended)

Thermometer in quartz glass ampoule for easy cleaning. Stand for the 503 model. Easily separates from the system. Absolute accuracy of 0.5 ^OC. Resolution of 0.01 ^OC. No calibration is ever needed. More than one thermometer can be connected to a single system. Model 503 has 2 built-in thermometers. For model 501 (with no dipping well) the thermometer is attached to the thermostatic metal plate below the trough.

MT Miniature Trough

A 200 cm² PTFE trough with 4 mm depth. Other sizes available. Comes with 2 barriers from PTFE. Temperature control of the water subphase by circulating thermostatic water below the trough. Within seconds replaces any other trough in the system. When ordered with other models a price discount is available. Can be ordered with the BT option. For advanced research purposes we recommend model 503 + MT option

QW Quartz Window

For microscopy observations or for spectroscopy measurements.

PB Hydrophilic Barriers from Delrin

The Delrin is a hydrophilic polymer which permits the water level in the trough to be kept low, thus decreasing the possibilities for leaks. However unlike PTFE (Teflon) it can not be cleaned with acids and solvents for long time. Order with the system.

DM Detachable Mechanism for the second barrier and second compartment in the trough

Ultimate in versatility. With a simple turn of a knob the second barrier can be detached and single barrier compression performed. Alternatively the second barrier can be used for symmetrical compression or translation of the monolayer in a second compartment of the trough (patented) over a different subphase content. A monolayer can first be compressed and then transferred in the second compartment. Should be ordered with the 2B option and the system.

Please check also the Kelvin Probe in the Monolayers section.

It measures the Volt difference when monolayer is present as a function of the area per molecule and can be integrated in the 500 series.

Please order like this:

Examples:

For model 501 with temperature sensor, quartz window, two barriers with detachable mechanism of the second barrier, please order: 501/TS/QW/2B/DM

For model 503 with hand-held panel, two barriers, and manual tilt mechanism of the dipper, please order: 503/HT/2B/TM/HP

All systems require an IBM PC compatible computer with 80386 processor or higher and MS DOS 3.3 or higher which is not supplied with the system. More powerful PC will speed up only the off line data analysis.

Click to enlarge

Model 503/BT/TM/HT/LD disassembled within seconds for trough change or cleaning.