Trace Contamination Detection

Detecting and quantifying trace surface contamination is an important step in many manufacturing processes.  Organic compounds such as oil, grease, cleaning agents may be present on surfaces in low concentrations.  This needs to be detected before a sensitive processing step such as bonding, coating or welding.  Or, the final cleaning may need to be verified before an item is delivered to customers.

Other technologies used for trace surface contamination detection may include total organic carbon, optical imaging, FTIR, optical emission spectroscopy, reflectance hyperspectral imaging and solvent extraction/swabbing.  All of these techniques have limitations such as lack of sensitivity or signal response, operator training issues, inability to work on curved surfaces, limitations on material types or not feasible for in-line processes.

Deep UV fluorescence detection offers significant advantages for organic trace surface contamination detection.  With laser based detection, the limit of detection can be well under 1 nanogram per square cm and the working distance can be up to 1m.  This can allow the surface contamination detection on parts with unusual shapes. The detection is real time and can be quantified through the generation of calibration samples (using the ChemCal) and fluorescence response calibration curves.  Therefore,  the deep UV fluorescence signal is correlated to a known contamination concentration.  Also, through the use of multiple detection bands, multiple contaminants can be detected.

Trace surface contamination on unusual shapes can be detected with the TraC
Trace surface contamination on unusual shapes can be detected with the TraC

Key Issues

  • Low Limit of Detection

    With laser based deep UV fluorescence detection, the threshold for detection is under 1 nanogram per square cm.

  • Stand Off Detection

    Detect surface contamination up to 1 meter away with high sensitivity

  • Detect on Irregular Surfaces

    All shapes, contours and textures can be analyzed

  • Calibrated Detection

    Deep UV fluorescence detection calibration curves can be generated with calibrated test samples to enable quantitative measurement of surface contamination

Downloads

MOSAIC

A major driving motivation for MOSAIC is the ability to spatially map or image chemical contaminants of critical component surfaces as part of QA processes.

TUCS 1000

The TUCS 1000 is a handheld instrument for laser based detection of trace chemicals in the fg or pg/cm2 concentration range.

TraC

Rapid Cleaning Verification with the TraC Trace Chemical Detector. Highly selective and sensitive real time optical scanning.

FX

The FX has a working distance of 100mm and a +-5mm depth of focus, making it suitable for a wide range of in process surface contamination inspections and measurements.

ChemCal

A trace chemical detector like the TraC or TUCS 1000 is acceptable for many applications only if you can accurately calibrate its performance and generate reproducible chemical concentration curves. That is why we created the ChemCal.

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