FABMATE® E-Beam Crucibles

Overview of FABMATE® High-Purity Carbon Crucibles

FABMATE® crucibles, made from 99.9995% elemental carbon, are the go-to solution for high-performance e-beam evaporation applications. Their exceptional durability, acid resistance, and thermal stability make them a superior alternative to quartz and other traditional materials.

Key Features of FABMATE® Crucibles

Outstanding Acid Resistance:
- Hydrofluoric Acid: No erosion after 15 one-hour soak cycles in a 10% hydrofluoric acid solution.
- Nitric and Hydrofluoric Acid Blend: No erosion after 20 one-hour soak cycles in a 70% acid mixture.
Enhanced Material Strength:
FABMATE crucibles undergo purification, precision machining, and a proprietary carbon modification treatment from Poco Graphite, Inc., creating:
- Amorphous carbon layers in pore surfaces.
- An abrasion-resistant and nearly particle-free surface.
Thermal Stability:
- Remains stable in inert atmospheres up to 2500°C, ensuring consistent performance under extreme conditions.
Versatile Material Compatibility:
- Optimal Performance: Compatible with Ag, As, Au, Ga, GeO₂, Ni-Cr alloys, Pb, Se, Sn, Te, and TiO.
- Prolonged Crucible Life: Especially effective for Al evaporation.
- Single-Run Applications: Suitable for Fe, Ni, and Si in single-use scenarios.
- Broad Compatibility: FABMATE can handle all materials supported by standard graphite crucibles.
Model Availability:
- FABMATE crucibles are available in the same models and dimensions as standard graphite crucibles for seamless integration into existing systems.

Note: FABMATE is ideal for replacing troublesome materials like quartz in challenging applications.

Common Causes of Crucible Breakage

Proper handling and setup are essential to extend the lifespan of FABMATE crucibles. Below are common issues and solutions:

1. Incorrect Ramp/Soak Settings

E-beam evaporation recipes rely on carefully calibrated ramp/soak power levels:

Power Control Transition: During deposition, power control transitions from ramp/soak settings to a PID loop, which manages the e-gun power and quartz crystal controller.
- Erratic Power Fluctuations: If ramp2/soak2 power levels are not aligned with the required deposition power (e.g., 1 Ångström/sec), the PID loop compensates with significant power oscillations (+90% to 0%).
- Crucible Stress: These fluctuations cause rapid liquefaction and condensation cycles, cracking the crucible.
- Solution: Set ramp2/soak2 levels close to the deposition power level to minimize PID adjustments and prevent rapid phase changes.

2. Abrupt Power Shutdown

Improper shutdown after deposition can also damage crucibles:

Rapid Solidification: Turning off power abruptly or using a short ramp-down period causes the melt to solidify too quickly, stressing the crucible liner.
Preventive Measure: Gradually ramp down power to allow for even cooling, reducing mechanical stress.

FABMATE® Crucibles for E-Beam Sources