For one of the most typical glow discharge applications, creating TEM support films or grids hydrophilic using air, the PELCO easiGlow™ from Ted Pella uses an automated and rapid cycle with entirely selectable parameters. The microprocessor-controlled system also delivers complete manual control for all parameters and a progressive protocol programming feature for custom-designed glow discharge applications. Parameters and protocols can be saved to enable steady glow discharge results. Users simply need to unwrap the shipping box, plug it in, and can begin work right away.
Manufactured in the USA, the PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge Cleaning System is a compact, fast, and user-friendly standalone system. It is mainly engineered for cleaning TEM grids and hydrophilization of TEM carbon support films, which have the propensity to be hydrophobic. A glow discharge treatment with air will render a carbon film surface negatively charged (hydrophilic) which permits aqueous solutions to disperse easily.
With progressively challenging imaging applications, using clean and dependable quality TEM grids and supports has become more critical than ever. Glow discharge treatment of TEM grids eliminates adsorbed hydrocarbons, cleaning them while turning them hydrophilic. The PELCO easiGlow™ is an economical and easy-to-work glow discharge system for any TEM lab.
The practical chamber size with its newly-engineered glow discharge head and modifiable stage with glass slide holder permits easy loading and quick turnaround times. The system is completely microprocessor-controlled and features an intelligent touch screen device for control and display of operation factors. The PELCO easiGlow™ supports both hydrophobic and hydrophilic treatment with either positive or negative charge and includes two individually controlled gas inlets. The necessary vacuum level is fixed by an electronically regulated precision proportional valve. This unique approach removes the necessity for manual setting with a needle valve. A smooth venting procedure guarantees that the TEM grids are not upset when the system is vented. The PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge Cleaning System is a compact, fast, and user-friendly standalone system. It is chiefly developed for cleaning TEM grids and hydrophilization of TEM carbon support films, which have the propensity to be hydrophobic.
A glow discharge treatment with air will render a carbon film surface negatively charged (hydrophilic) which enables aqueous solutions to disperse easily.
| Glow Discharge Methods supported: |
| Surface Condition |
Charge |
Atmosphere |
| Hydrophilic |
Negative |
Air |
| Hydrophilic |
Positive |
Air (with subsequent magnesium Acetate treatment) |
| Hydrophobic |
Positive |
Amylamine (Pentylamine) |
| Hydrophobic |
Negative |
Methanol |
Reference for glow discharge and use of amylamine to obtain Hydrophobic positively-charged surfaces: Hayat, M.A.2000. Principles and Techniques of Electron Microscopy Biological Applications, page 237-241. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 052163287
Reference for glow discharge and use of subsequent Magnesium Acetate treatment to obtain Hydrophlic charged surfaces: Portmann, R., and Koller, Th. 1976. The divalent cation method for protein-free spreading of nucleic acid molecules. In Proceedings of the 6th European Congress on Electron Microscopy, Vol.2, p546.
Benefits of the PELCO easiGlow™ System
- Auto, programmed, and manual modes
- Short cycle times
- Intuitive touch screen for display and operation
- Reliable results
- Improved for cleaning TEM grids
- Precise and easy-to-use vacuum setting
- Supports hydrophobic/hydrophilic and negative/positive modes
- Compact, affordable, standalone system
Specifications of the PELCO easiGlow™ Glow Discharge System
| . |
. |
| Plasma Current |
0-30 mA |
| HV Power supply |
30 W Continuous Rating |
| Glow Discharge Head Polarity |
User Selectable positive or negative |
| Process Platform |
Ø75 mm with recess for 25 x 75 mm slide |
| Glow Discharge Platform Height Control |
1-25 mm |
| Preprocess Hold Timer |
0-14411 sec. |
| Process Timer |
0-900 sec. |
| Chamber Size |
Ø120 x 100 mm H with sealed Delrin® top plate (inside Ø106 x 90 mm) |
| Process/Vent gas inlets |
2 each Ø6 mm barbed, individually user selectable for process, purge or vent |
| High Voltage Vacuum Interlocks |
Dual hardware and software interlocked |
| Vacuum Control |
Pirani Gauge, ranging from atmosphere to 0.01 mbar |
| Working Vacuum Range |
1.1 - 0.20 mbar for optimal glow |
| System Control / Display |
3" Touch Panel with LED backlight and 5 function keys |
| Operation Modes |
Auto Programmed (4 user programmed protocols) Manual/Diagnostics |
| Data Logging Capabilities |
Step #, Vacuum (mbar), Current (mA), Voltage (V), and polarity, once per second |
| Instrument Size |
305 L x 292 D x 230 mm H (12" x 11-1/2" x 9") |
| Weight |
6.26 kg (13.8 lbs.) |
| GD4 Pump (optional) |
337 L x 138 D x 244 mm H (13.3" x 5.4" x 9.6") |
| Weight |
11 kg (24 lbs.) |
| Laboratory Footprint with optional pump |
381 W x 292 D x 330 mm H (15" x 11-1/2" x 13") |
| Power Requirements |
120 V 60 Hz, 15 A or 230 V 50 Hz, 10 A Service |
| Instrument Power Rating |
100-240 VAC 60/50 Hz 60 W Plus Pump, IEC Inlet |
| Optional Pump Power Rating |
120/230 V 60/50 Hz 370 W (1/2 hp) |
| Vacuum Pump Minimum requirements |
2.5 m3/hr, 41 l/m, 1.65 CFM
0.03 mbar Ultimate Vacuum |
| Vacuum Pump Power Outlet on Instrument |
8A max IEC Outlet |
| Vacuum Inlet |
KF 16 flange |
| Data Logging Capabilities |
Step #, Vacuum (mbar), Current (mA), Voltage (V), and polarity, once per second |
| Communication Port |
USB Outlet |
Dual Chamber PELCO easiGlow™ System
For labs that require both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface treatments on a standard base, a dual glow discharge system is available to prevent cross-contamination of the glow discharge chambers. Hydrophobic surfaces are better when organic solvents are employed.
Since the enhanced vacuum level for glow discharge procedures is in the range of 0.45 to 1.1 mbar, Ted Pella offers the reasonably priced GD4 dual stage rotary vacuum pumping system, engineered particularly for this pressure range.
NEW PELCO easiGlow™ Cryo-EM Glow Discharge Set
To make ordering easier, Ted Pella has developed a bundle including all items required for a standard glow discharge setup in a cryo-EM lab. This convenient set has, besides a PELCO easiGlow™ unit, a particularly matched vacuum pump with all accessories, a rubber gasket to safeguard the glass chamber edge, as well as one PELCO® Grid Holder Block, a handy alternative for placing grids on glass slides. The Grid Holder Block is added in the bundle free of charge, which is a saving of $60.
Since the enhanced vacuum level for glow discharge procedures is in the range of 0.45 to 1.1 mbar, Ted Pella offers the reasonably priced GD4 dual stage rotary vacuum pumping system, engineered particularly for this pressure range.
GD4 Rotary Vacuum Pump for PELCO easiGlow™
| Pumping speed |
4.3 m3/hr, 72 l/min, 2.5 CFM @ 60 Hz
3.6 m3/hr, 60 l/min, 2.1 CFM @ 50 Hz |
| Ultimate vacuum |
1 x 10-2 MBAR |
| Vacuum connection |
KF/NW 16 |
| Exhaust connection |
KF/NW 16 |
| Oil capacity |
300 cc (included) |
| Operating temperature |
5 - 40 °C (41 - 104 °F) |
| Dimensions |
337 x 138 x 244 mm
13.3" x 5.4" x 9.6" (L x W x H) |
| Weight |
11 kg / 24 lbs. |
| Power rating |
110 - 115 V 60 Hz, 3.2 A, 0.37 kW
220 - 250 V, 50/60 Hz, 1.6 A , 0.37 kW |
PELCO® TEM Grid Holder Blocks
Two sizes can be availed: 25 TEM grids in 5 x 5 matrix and 81 TEM grids in a 9 x 9 matrix.
PELCO® Clamping TEM Grid Holder Block
It can hold 45 grids safely clamped between two plates.
AutoGlow Plasma Cleaning System from Ted Pella
Efficient glow discharge performance for the PELCO easiGlow™ with optimum pressure at given distance from sample to glow discharge head.
Dual Chamber PELCO easiGlow™ System
NEW PELCO easiGlow™ Cryo-EM Glow Discharge Set
GD4 Rotary Vacuum Pump for PELCO easiGlow™
PELCO® TEM Grid Holder Blocks
PELCO® Clamping TEM Grid Holder Block