DetailSuccessful NAP-XPS System Installation in Innsbruck
A new NAP-XPS system has successfully been installed at the Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, in the research groups of Prof. Dr. Bernhard Klötzer, Prof. Dr. Martin Beyer, Prof. Dr. Julia Kunze-Liebhäuser and Prof. Dr. Thomas Loerting. It is a multi-method system designed for a wide variety of different operando experiments, like investigations of catalytic properties of solid surfaces and the study of fundamental electrochemical processes. A pretty special task is the investigation of low temperatures phase transitions, for example on inserted ice crystals.
The main component of the system is the PHOIBOS 150 NAP hemispherical energy analyzer equipped with 1D-DLD detector, that enables XPS measurements from UHV regime up to 50 mbar gas pressures. The system contains a small spot monochromatic X-ray source µ-FOCUS 600 NAP with Al anode. The combination between the PHOIBOS 150 NAP 1D-DLD analyzer with unsurpassed angular acceptance and transmission and the small spot monochromatic X-ray source µ-FOCUS 600 NAP with high photon flux density leads to extremely high count rates for NAP-XPS experiments. A specific feature of the analyzer is the water-cooled nozzle that allows for performing long time NAP-XPS measurements of samples at high temperatures. The laser heating was provided by the customer, while SPECS supplied the laser safety equipment and the integration of the laser heating into the system.
A mass spectrometer for the analysis of the chemical reaction educts or products is mounted in the second differential pumping stage of the PHOIBOS 150 NAP analyzer. Additionally, the analysis chamber is equipped with a flood gun for charging compensation during XPS measurements under UHV conditions.
The system has a modular concept with different manipulators for dedicated experiments. On one side of the analysis chamber is mounted the 4-axes sample manipulator for catalysis experiments with its corresponding preparation/sample introduction module. The sample stage allows for laser heating of the sample up to 1000 °C in gas atmospheres. Furthermore, the sample stage is equipped with 4 contacts on the sample, in addition to the connection of a thermocouple and the possibility of applying a bias on the sample.
On the other side of the analysis chamber a module for electrochemistry experiments and low temperature measurements is attached. It is equipped with two manipulators that can be easily exchanged, depending on the type of the experiment that is currently performed. For the special studies of ice as mentioned above an LN2 cooled cryogenic manipulator with base temperatures below 100 K is attached. In order to ensure a fresh ice surface for the measurements, the system is equipped with a file mounted on a small LN2 cooled z-retract. For electrochemistry experiments, the cryogenic manipulator will be replaced with a 4-axes manipulator with an EC-cell, that was provided by the customer.
We thank the customers for their confidence and exceptional collaboration on this truly unique system. We are sure, that plenty outstanding results will be published from the work performed on this new and novel system over the next months and years.
