Tangidyne Corp
The King of Quartz Crystals™
Tangidyne Corp designs and manufactures quartz film thickness sensors (also called QCM’s, or Quartz Crystal Microbalances) for use in vacuum deposition systems (thermal, electron beam, sputtering, MBE, CVD and ALD processes) and liquid monitoring technology. In fact, that’s all we do. After 20 years in the business, we realized that you couldn't be the best unless you specialized.
Founded by Scott Grimshaw, inventor of the long life “Alloy” quartz crystal in 1987, and the RC™ quartz crystal in 2004, Tangidyne is leading the way in cutting the cost of replacement monitor crystals, and in solving the problems that have plagued film thickness crystals since their introduction in the 1960’s. Here you can get:
1) The RC™ quartz crystal (US patent No. 6,820,485 B2, UK Patent GB2416209B). We invented a novel doubly rotated cut quartz crystal that, unlike standard AT-cut crystals, does not change frequency when exposed to thermal radiation from deposition or heating sources. This enables the user to reliably measure ultra thin film depositions (< 100 Angstroms) that are a critical part of organic LED and precision optical coating (e.g. needle synthesis design) manufacture. Best of all, RC™ crystals fit standard 5 and 6 MHz instruments and are priced at $12 or less.
2) 5 and 6 MHz 1” Diameter Liquid Monitor Quartz Crystals. Pioneered by Maxtek and SRS, the use of quartz crystals in liquids is quickly becoming a technique to monitor corrosion, electroplating, biological materials and chemical reactions. The problem is, these crystals are expensive, and for good reason. A polished 5 MHz quartz “blank” (uncoated crystal) is very difficult to make without defects. But we decided to give it a try, and offer discount pricing on chromium/gold and titanium /gold versions. We will also make “specials” for you, with copper, titanium, aluminum and other electrodes. Just ask!
3) ThermaHead™ Temperature Controlled Crystal Sensor Heads. You want longer crystal life when coating optical materials? Or do you just want to try different temperatures for your research? Well, we've pioneered the use of temperature controlled crystal heads for vacuum deposition monitoring. We were also awarded a US patent on temperature controlled sensor heads (to be published). We discovered that by heating a quartz crystal to temperatures as high as 90°C, you will double the life of a crystal when coating oxides, fluorides and other commonly used dielectric films for optical device fabrication. At a base price of $2500, you can be up and running with a 5 or 6 MHz compatible system that includes heated and temperature monitored crystal head, rack mount temperature controller, feedthrough, cables and manual. A small price to pay for extreme reliability! And, we also make inexpensive replacement sensor heads and cables for all standard 5 and 6 MHz commercially available film thickness monitors. If you don't see it, just ask.
4) Replacement Inficon Style Gold or Alloy Quartz Crystals. We're home to the $3.35 quartz crystal. Yes, you read that right! Why pay inflated prices for old technology? Better yet, we will beat anyone's price in the world. That means even Chinese crystals or Eastern European knock-off's. Believe it or not, there is a difference in crystals. From surface finish to the rate at which you put on the adhesion layer, there are subtle differences in crystals from different manufacturers. Sometimes though, there are BIG differences in manufacturers and that can cost you dearly in the long run. To see what a good crystal looks like, email us for a free sample of 5 standard AT-cut crystals, today!
The Bottom Line: Quartz Crystals have to work and be affordable. Buy from Scott Grimshaw & Tangidyne and you’ll get both!