Collection: Ultra-High Vacuum & Cryogenic Sample Transfer Solutions

Why is Ultra-High Vacuum Sample Transfer Important?

Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV) is critical for precise surface analysis. In UHV environments, a monolayer of material deposits every 4 days, as opposed to the rapid deposition in lower vacuum ranges, where a monolayer forms every 4 seconds. This slow deposition rate makes UHV ideal for detailed surface characterization and analysis.

Why Cryogenic Ultra-High Vacuum Sample Transfer is Necessary?

The development of shock freezing technology and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2017 to Swiss scientist Jacques Dubochet. This groundbreaking technology involves rapidly freezing biological samples suspended in liquid water under pressures of up to 5000 bar, forming amorphous ice.

Once vitrified, biological samples must remain well below the glass transition temperature of 136K during transport and transfer to avoid crystallization. Maintaining a high vacuum level is crucial to prevent the formation of crystalline ice on the sample's surface. In an ideal setup, the sample is kept insulated within a cryo-shroud, ensuring that the surrounding environment is colder than the sample itself, preserving its integrity during transfer.

Ultra-High Vacuum and Cryogenic Sample Transfer solutions are designed to meet these rigorous requirements, ensuring that samples are securely transferred while maintaining their vitrified state and protecting against contamination.