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Filaments Overview

Kimball Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6) Cathodes
for Electron Microscopes

Kimball Lanthanum Hexaboride (LaB6) Cathodes for Electron Microscopes

Heating current path through precision-machined, single-piece carbon rod
and mounting strips; sub-base provides rigidity and easier mounting.


The Kimball Physics ES-423E (Extended Life) Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode is a high performance, resistively heated, thermionic electron source. It is currently used in many electron optical systems: SEM's, TEM's, microprobes, electron lithography systems, etc. This superior LaB6 source gives a greater brightness (higher current density), lower energy spread (better resolution) and a longer lifetime than standard tungsten filaments. Lifetimes in excess of 6 months of continuous operation are regularly achieved in commercial SEM's and TEM's with suitable gun vacuum (10-7 torr or better). The standard emitter is a 15µm diameter <100> oriented single crystal surface mounted on the end of a single piece, stress-free, carbon heater rod, held in place by a carbon ferrule. The single piece carbon heater rod has a precision machined 100µm slot along the axis to direct the heating current; the result is no high temperature carrying high temperature joints. The design together with a high degree of symmetry keeps mechanical movements small which results in increased stability. The small physical size fits most Wehnelt cylinders with ease. Another advantage of the Kimball Physics LaB6 cathode is the reduced material loss which means less Wehnelt contamination; again this results in greater stability compared to other types of LaB6 cathodes.

For further information see Technical Bulletins at bottom of page.

For use in:

  • Scanning Electron Microscopes
  • Transmission Electron Microscopes
  • Electron Micro Probe Analyzers
  • Electron Lithography Systems
  • Electron Accelerators

Featuring:

Extended lifetime
  • Thousands of hours in clean vacuum
  • Guaranteed life (measured in surface loss)
  • Guaranteed against mounting structure failure

Designed with built-in stability

  • Thermal / chemical / mechanical / electrical stability
  • Precision machined carbon mounting
  • High over-temperature tolerance

High brightness/low energy spread

  • Oriented single-crystal
  • Best quality/high purity material
  • Low work function
  • Improved resolution

Accurate microflats

  • Superior optics/controlled source size
  • Standard diameters available
 

sem microscope cathode

  Unused LaB6 crystal mounted on carbon heater rod, and held in place by precision carbon ferrule; note roundness and smoothness of microflat.
     

Lanthanum Hexaboride Cathode

  LaB6 crystal mounted on an AEI/Leica base
     


LaB6 Cathode for AEI/Leica LaB6 Cathode for AMRAY LaB6 Cathode for FEI/Philips Zeiss LaB6 Cathode
AEI/Leica/ZEISS AMRAY FEI/Philips ZEISS/Tescan
LaB6 Cathode for Hitachi S LaB6 Cathode for Jeol K LaB6 Cathode for ISI, ABT, Topcon Lab6 Cathode for ETEC
Hitachi S Jeol K ISI/ABT/Topcon ETEC

Dimensions for EM Filament Bases Tungsten/Lab6

Tantalum Wehnelt Apertures


Made in USA
Prod # Description Unit Price Order / Quote
Kimball ES423E-90/15 standard LaB6 tip with 90° cone and 15µm microflat; perfect for SEM/TEM applications
1440-110 LaB6 Cathode, C423E-90/15, with AEI base for Cambridge Instruments/Leica/LEO/ZEISS EVO, Cameca, CamScan and Electroscan each $971.10
Qty:
1440-112 LaB6 Cathode, A423E-90/15, for Amray each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-114 LaB6 Cathode, P423E-90/15, for FEI/Philips except smaller AEI style on XL30 SEM each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-116 LaB6 Cathode, Z423E-90/15, for ZEISS/LEO TEMs, ZEISS DSM SEMs, or Tescan SEMs each 1019.90
Qty:
1440-118 LaB6 Cathode, HL423E-90/15, for Hitachi HU base each 1052.45
Qty:
1440-119 LaB6 Cathode, H423E-90/15, for Hitachi S base each 1052.45
Qty:
1440-122 LaB6 Cathode, J423E-90/15, for JEOL K base each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-126 LaB6 Cathode, I423E-90/15, for ISI/ABT/Topcon 2 pin each 1041.45
Qty:
1440-130 LaB6 Cathode, E423E-90/15, for ETEC/Perkin Elmer each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-134 LaB6 Cathode, S423E-90/15, for Siemens base each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-136 LaB6 Cathode, G423E-90/15, for VG each 1041.60
Qty:
Kimball ES423E-90/20 long life time, high stability tip with 90° cone and 20µm microflat; mainly for analytical SEM/micro probe applications
1440-210 LaB6 Cathode, C423E-90/20, with AEI base for Cambridge Instruments/Leica/LEO/ZEISS EVO, Cameca, CamScan and Electroscan each 1021.00
Qty:
1440-212 LaB6 Cathode, A423E-90/20, for Amray each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-214 LaB6 Cathode, P423E-90/20, for FEI/Philips except smaller AEI style on XL30 SEM each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-216 LaB6 Cathode, Z423E-90/20, for ZEISS DSM SEMs or Tescan SEMs each 1019.90
Qty:
1440-219 LaB6 Cathode, H423E-90/20, for Hitachi S base each 1052.45
Qty:
1440-222 LaB6 Cathode, J423E-90/20, for JEOL K base each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-226 LaB6 Cathode, I423E-90/20, for ISI/ABT/Topcon 2 pin each 971.10
Qty:
1440-230 LaB6 Cathode, E423E-90/20, for ETEC/Perkin Elmer each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-234 LaB6 Cathode, S423E-90/20, for Siemens base each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-236 LaB6 Cathode, G423E-90/20, for VG each 1041.60
Qty:
Kimball ES423E-60/6 high resolution/high brightness tip with 60° cone and 6µm microflat; for use in TEMs (rarely used for SEMs)
1440-310 LaB6 Cathode, C423E-60/6, with AEI base each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-314 LaB6 Cathode, P423E-60/6, for FEI/Philips (except smaller AEI style on XL30 SEM) each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-316 LaB6 Cathode, Z423E-60/6, for ZEISS/LEO TEMs or Tescan SEMs each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-318 LaB6 Cathode, HL423E-60/6, for Hitachi HU base each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-319 LaB6 Cathode, H423E-60/6, for Hitachi S base each 1052.45
Qty:
1440-322 LaB6 Cathode, J423E-60/6, for JEOL K base each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-326 LaB6 Cathode, I423E-60/6, for ISI/ABT/Topcon 2 pin each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-334 LaB6 Cathode, S423E-60/6, for Siemens base each 1041.60
Qty:
1440-336 LaB6 Cathode, G423E-60/6, for VG each 1041.60
Qty:


Technical Bulletins:

Dimensions for EM Filament Bases (for Tungsten/Lab6) Filaments

Base Type Diameter of Ceramic Disc
(mm)
Diameter of Pins
(mm)
Center Distance of Pins
(mm)
AEI 12.0 1.0 6.45
FEI/PHILIPS 26.0 1.0 5.0
JEOL K-type 28.0 1.2 8.0
HITACHI S-type 9.8 1.2 2.7
ZEISS (DSM & TEM), LEO (1450 & TEM), TESCAN 19.8 1.0 5.0
AMRAY (except 1200) 26.1 1.0 5.0
ISI/ABT/TOPCON
2 pins
23.3 1.2 11.9
ISI/ABT/TOPCON 23.4 1.2 12.0