ibss Group, Inc.

Surfaces redefined

Featured Product

GV10x UHV Downstream Asher

Competitive sources discovered by internet search may be HV but not UHV compatible. Vacuum components necessary to convert HV plasma sources UHV compatible require an expensive isolation valve and pre-pump components. 

The GV10x UHV DS Asher is designed to reside on a UHV chamber after chamber plasma cleaning in millitorr range without breaking vacuum. This one of a kind in-situ plasma source eliminates the need for a costly isolation valve and pre-pump.

GV10x UHV DownStream Asher

SEM, FIB and TEM Contamination Solutions

GV10x DS Asher

In-situ contamination mitigation is 10 times more efficient than other methods

GV10x Source

GV10x UHV Asher

Ultra-High Vacuum compatible. - components necessary to convert HV plasma sources UHV compatible

MCA

Mobile downstream plasma center for ex-situ EM specimen and in-situ SEM/FIB chamber cleaning

Chiaro - Complete solution in rolling cabinet

Chiaro

Plasma clean & hydrophilisize surfaces, view TEM specimens, leak check fluid cells at 40X

The GV10x Downstream Asher’s ability to remove contamination from Electron Microscopy samples and chambers is well recognized by electron microscopists worldwide. Contamination control improvements beyond traditional methods: 1st generation plasma cleaners, LN2 trapping, UV exposure offer EM researches freedom to remove carbon artifacts in minutes and mitigate chamber contamination buildup.

GV10x shows an obvious improvement

..the [GV10x] downstream plasma ashing system shows an obvious improvement compared to the traditional one

Western Digital Corporation

An extended study on an advanced method for the cleaning of carbon contaminations from large optical surfaces using a remote inductively coupled low-pressure RF plasma source (GV10x DownStream Asher) is reported. Technical and scientific features of this scaled up cleaning process are analysed, such as the cleaning efficiency for different carbon allotropes (amorphous and diamond-like….  more…

Characterization, optimization and surface physics aspects of in situ plasma mirror cleaning Although the graphitic carbon contamination of synchrotron beamline optics has been an obvious problem for several decades, the basic mechanisms underlying the contamination process as well as the cleaning/remediation strategies are not understood and the corresponding cleaning procedures are still….  more…

Downstream Plasma Technology for Cleaning TEM Samples on Carbon Films Plasma cleaning has become an essential step in modern analytical electron microscopy, which requires contamination free samples for imaging and elemental analysis. However, the dilemma for carbon film TEM grid users is how to plasma-clean the hydrocarbon contamination while preserving the carbon support film. In order….  more…

ibss Group, Inc. Global Representation Opportunities

GV10X Controller & Source
GV10x DS Asher Series

Expanding ibss Group Sales Worldwide

The ibss Group, inc. plasma products are globally recognized to achieve low hydrocarbon levels in electron microscopes and other analytical instrument chambers.  Organic and inorganic samples are effectively and efficiently made contamination free in-situ or ex-situ.    

To meet the worldwide semiconductor demand and emphasis on cryo-biological studies we are actively accepting inquiries from sales agents in Japan with associated portfolios to drive sales with service support. 

New Sales agents will augment existing sales channels. 

Worldwide Representatives

APMC-2025- Microscopy Congress

The Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Society (AMMS) is hosting  APMC13 in Brisbane, Australia from Feb. 2nd to 7th in 2025. APMC13 will be an in-person event, bringing together colleagues across the life and physical sciences, engineering, and instrumentation to work towards new visions and goals in microscopy.  ibssGroup is participating in the conference with our latest technology and products.  We will be sharing information onRead more “APMC-2025- Microscopy Congress”

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M&M 2025 – Microscopy & Microanalysis

ibssGroup is participating in the 2024 M&M conference with our latest technology and products.  Microscopy Society of America (MSA) is a collaborative community dedicated to fostering research, innovation, advancement, and promotion of microscopy.   The conference will provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of a wide range of microscopy and microanalysis techniques and their application to the biological and physical sciences. Event ContactRead more “M&M 2025 – Microscopy & Microanalysis”

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The GV10x Downstream Asher’s ability to remove carbon contamination is a major advancement above traditional methods of mitigating contamination using cold trapping, nitrogen purging, and other plasma cleaners. The GV10x, with its extended power and pressure range (5 to 100 Watts and 2 to <0.005 Torr), represents a paradigm shift in the carbon HC control in SEMs and other analytical instruments including Mas Spec, XPS etc.

As nanoscience progresses, electron probe analysis becomes more challenging: electron beam energies decrease, precursor gas use increases and maintaining high resolution becomes more dependent on maintaining low carbon and HC contamination levels. Downstream plasma process accomplishes eliminating hydrocarbon contamination accumulation and specimen cleaning simultaneously quickly, and easily. Unlike kinetic cleaning in usual ‘plasma cleaners’, the downstream plasma process is a gentle chemical (virtually zero K.E.) process. This process has revolutionized the means to eliminate carbon and hydrocarbons in vacuum chambers.

The GV10x UHV DS Asher is designed to reside on an Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) chamber after chamber plasma cleaning in millitorr range without breaking vacuum. This one of a kind in-situ plasma source eliminates the need for other costly components in Ultra High Vacuum chamber configurations, including the need for isolation valve and pre-pump.

There are significant considerations needed to be evaluated for UHV systems and normal HV plasma cleaners generally do not meet the high standards needed:  GV10x-UHV soundly meets the requirements.

MCA

A mobile plasma center that cleans, stores and processes SEM/TEM samples/holders and other sundry items in a small chamber. The Qwk-Switch™ Source facilitates shifting hydrocarbon mitigation to other SEM or FIB sites for in-situ chamber cleaning.

The MCA chamber accommodates an assortment of specimens to remove hydrocarbons, hydrophilizing surfaces, storing and cleaning three TEM holders and specimens with ibss signature GV10x Downstream plasma fitted onto a portable S/S cart.

The Chiaro similar to MCA but distinguished by turbomolecular pressure & speed. An optional optical microscope can be installed to mount and observe specimens during plasma conditioning and potential leak observation from liquid/gas specimen cells. Plasma processing at lower vacuum increases plasma processing activity. To meet requirements of viewing gas and liquid sample cells in TEM holders the Chiaro performs the functions of leak checking, gas/liquid E-Chip viewing while mounting, surface hydrophilization and plasma processing.

  • Easy TEM specimen loading through swing away chamber port
  • Swing away stereo mic with keyed re-registration
  • 5X mag w/6” working distance, LED illumination to view loading
  • Pressure monitor possible gas/liquid cell leaks at <2e-5 Torr
  • and much more..

Work & Holiday Schedule

Normal Hours

ibssGroup’s normal work hours are based on California time:  

8:00am to 6:00pm
Monday through Friday

Holiday Schedule

Martin Luther King Jr.:  January 15
Memorial Day:  May 27
US Independence: July 4
Labor Day: September 2
US Thanksgiving: November 28 – 29
Winter Break:  December 24 thru January 2

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