The manufacturing process of electron multipiers utilizes
a number of glass forming and wet chemistry techniques. All multipliers
are manufactured from a specialty lead silicate glass formula developed
by Detector Technology, Inc. The information contained on this page is
to provide you with an overview to DeTech's patented process of electron
multiplier manufacturing. If you have specific questions about how DeTech's
process can provide you with unmatched quality multipliers, please contact
one of DeTech's representatives at 413.284.9975.
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1. Extrusion/Draw/Cutting
- The process starts with a glass billet that is extruded
and drawn to final diameter. A work piece is then cut from the drawn
material that is about 4-6 inches long. DeTech has various glass diameters
that range from 2-8 mm. |
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2. Flaring - The glass is then flared over a hot carbon tool that puts a conical
shape on the end of the multiplier. This shape has extreme flexibility,
since the carbon tool can be made to any angle specified |
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3. Bending - The glass is then bent in a furnace over a mandrel. The curvature
of the channel is important since it eliminates ion-feedback in the
channel 3 |
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4. Sizing - Next, the unit is ground to final size on a diamond wheel. The multipliers
are then processed in a series of chemicals that will clean and enhance
the surface for further processing. |
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5. Reduction - The unit is then reduced in a hydrogen atmosphere under specific
time and temperature conditions. This is the critical process that
activates the surface of the glass through and ion exchange process
that creates the silica enriched layer on the surface. |
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6. SandBlast/Evaporation/Assembly/Testing - A section of the unit is then sandblasted away to create a single
conduction path on the multiplier to create the proper voltage gradient.
A mild steel is evaporated on the multiplier to create a short on
the outside for electrical connections. The unit is now ready to be
assembled. Depending on the system and the ion optics, each unit is
mounted precisely in a frame that consists of stainless steel and
ceramic parts. After the assembly is complete, the unit is then put
under vacuum and tested for both gain and noise. DeTech tests 100%
of its multipliers and certifies the performance and quality. |