For one of the most common glow discharge applications, making TEM support films or grids hydrophilic using air, the PELCO easiGlow™ uses an automated and quick cycle with fully selectable parameters.
The microprocessor controlled system also offers full manual control for all parameters and an advanced protocol programming feature for custom designed glow discharge applications. Parameters and protocols can be stored to facilitate consistent glow discharge results. Open the shipping box, plug it in, and you can start.
The PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge Cleaning System is a compact, quick and easy to use standalone system. It is primarily designed for cleaning TEM grids and hydrophilization of TEM carbon support films, which have the tendency to be hydrophobic.
A glow discharge treatment with air will make a carbon film surface negatively charged (hydrophilic) which allows aqueous solutions to spread easily. Manufactured in USA.
With increasingly demanding imaging applications, using clean and consistent quality TEM grids and supports has become more important than ever. Glow discharge treatment of TEM grids removes adsorbed hydro carbons, cleaning them while making them hydrophilic. The PELCO easiGlow™ is an affordable and easy to operate glow discharge system for any TEM lab.
The practical chamber size with its newly designed glow discharge head and adjustable stage with glass slide holder allows for easy loading and fast turnaround times. The system is fully microprocessor controlled and includes an intelligent touch screen device for control and display of operation parameters.
The PELCO easiGlow™ supports both hydrophilic and hydrophobic treatment with either negative or positive charge and includes two separately controlled gas inlets. The required vacuum level is set by an electronically controlled precision proportional valve. This novel approach eliminates manual setting with a needle valve. A gentle venting procedure ensures that the TEM grids are not disturbed when the system is vented.
Glow Discharge Methods supported:
| Surface Condition |
Charge |
Atmosphere |
| Hydrophilic |
Negative |
Air |
| Hydrophilic |
Positive |
Air (with subsequent magnesium Acetate treatment) |
| Hydrophobic |
Positive |
Amylamine (Pentylamine) |
| Hydrophobic |
Negative |
Methanol |
Reference for glow discharge and use of amylamine to obtain Hydrophobic; positively charged surfaces: Hayat, M.A.2000. Principles and Techniques of Electron Microscopy Biological Applications, page 237-241. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 052163287
Reference for glow discharge and use of subsequent Magnesium Acetate treatment to obtain Hydrophylic; charged surfaces: Portmann, R., and Koller, Th. 1976. The divalent cation method for protein-free spreading of nucleic acid molecules. In Proceedings of the 6th European Congress on Electron Microscopy, Vol.2, p546.
For those labs which need both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface treatments on a regular base, a dual glow discharge system is available to avoid cross contamination of the glow discharge chambers. Hydrophobic surfaces are preferable when organic solvents are used.
Advantages of the PELCO easiGlow™ system:
- Optimized for cleaning TEM grids
- Precise and easy vacuum setting
- Short cycle times
- Consistent results
- Auto, programmed and manual mode
- Intuitive touch screen for display and operation
- Supports hydrophilic/hydrophobic and negative/positive modes
- Affordable, compact, standalone system
Since the optimized vacuum level for glow discharge procedures is in the range of 0.45 to 1.1 mbar, we offer the affordable GD4 dual stage rotary vacuum pumping system, designed specifically for this pressure range.
GD4 Rotary Vacuum Specifications
| Pumping speed |
4.3m3/hr, 72 l/min, 2.5 CFM @ 60Hz
3.6m3/hr, 60 l/min, 2.1 CFM @ 50Hz |
| Ultimate vacuum |
1 x 10-2 MBAR |
| Vacuum connection |
KF/NW 16 |
| Exhaust connection |
KF/NW 16 |
| Oil capacity |
300cc (included) |
| Operating temperature |
5 - 40°C (41 - 104°F) |
| Dimensions |
337 x 138 x 244mm
13.3" x 5.4" x 9.6" (L x W x H) |
| Weight |
11kg / 24 lbs. |
| Power rating |
110 - 115V 60 Hz, 3.2A, 0.37kW
220 - 250V, 50/60 Hz, 1.6A , 0.37kW |
Specifications of the PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge system
| Plasma Current |
0-30 mA |
| HV Power supply |
30 W Continuous Rating |
| Glow Discharge Head Polarity |
User Selectable positive or negative |
| Process Platform |
Ø75 mm with recess for 25 x 75 mm slide |
| Glow Discharge Platform Height Control |
1-25 mm |
| Preprocess Hold Timer |
0-14411 sec. |
| Process Timer |
0-900 sec. |
| Chamber Size |
Ø120 x 100 mm H with sealed Delrin top plate (inside Ø106 x 90 mm) |
| Process/Vent gas inlets |
2 each Ø6 mm barbed, individually user selectable for process, purge or vent |
| High Voltage Vacuum Interlocks |
Dual hardware and software interlocked |
| Vacuum Control |
Pirani Gauge, ranging from atmosphere to 0.01 mbar |
| Working Vacuum Range |
1.1 - 0.20 mbar for optimal glow |
| System Control / Display |
3" Touch Panel with LED backlight and 5 function keys |
| Operation Modes |
Auto Programmed (4 user programmed protocols) Manual/Diagnostics |
| Data Logging Capabilities |
Step #, Vacuum (mbar), Current (mA), Voltage (V), and polarity, once per second |
| Instrument Size |
305 L x 292 D x 230mm H (12" x 11-1/2" x 9 ") |
| Weight |
6.26 kg (13.8 lbs.) |
| GD4 Pump (optional) |
337 L x 138 D x 244mm H (13.3" x 5.4" x 9.6 ") |
| Weight |
11 kg (24 lbs.) |
| Laboratory Footprint with optional pump |
381 W x 292 D x 330mm H (15" x 11-1/2" x 13 ") |
| Power Requirements |
120V 60Hz, 15A or 230V 50Hz, 10A Service |
| Instrument Power Rating |
100-240VAC 60/50Hz 60W Plus Pump, IEC Inlet |
| Optional Pump Power Rating |
120/230V 60/50Hz 370 W (1/2 hp) |
| Vacuum Pump Minimum requirements |
2.5 m3/hr, 41 l/m, 1.65 CFM
0.03 mbar Ultimate Vacuum |
| Vacuum Pump Power Outlet on Instrument |
8A max IEC Outlet |
| Vacuum Inlet |
KF 16 flange |
| Data Logging Capabilities |
Step #, Vacuum (mbar), Current (mA), Voltage (V), and polarity, once per second |
| Communication Port |
USB Outlet |