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8 Microchannel Plate (MCP)
8.1 Specifications
Please check the specification sheet of the DLD for the exact MCP specifications.
8.2 Storage
Because of their structure and the nature of the materials used in manufacture, care must be taken when
handling or operating MCPs. The following precautions are strongly recommended:
• The most effective long-term storage environment for an MCP is an oil-free vacuum.
8.3 Handling
• Shipping containers should be opened only under class 100 Laminar flow cleanroom conditions.
• Personnel should always wear clean, talc-free, class 100 clean-room compatible, vinyl gloves when
handling MCPs. No physical object should come into contact with the active area of the wafer. The MCP
should be handled by its rims, there is no solid glass border! Use clean degassed tools fabricated from
stainless steel, Teflon™ or other ultra-high vacuum-compatible materials. Handling MCPs should be
limited to trained, experienced personnel.
• MCPs without solid glass border should be handled very carefully with great care taken to contact the
outer edges of the plate only.
• The MCP should be protected from exposure to particle contamination. Particles which become affixed
to the plate can be removed by using a very pure and low pressure air flow such as from a clean rubber
bellows.
• The MCP should be mounted only in fixtures designed for this purpose. Careful note should be
taken of electrical potentials involved.
Voltages must not be applied to the device while at atmospheric pressure. The pressure
should be 1E-6mbar or lower at the micro channel plate before applying voltage.
Otherwise, damaging ion feedback or electrical breakdown will occur.
DLD8080 R4.30 & R4.31 Manual | Surface Concept GmbH
