DiATOME Ultra Diamond Knife

DiATOME Ultra-Thin Diamond knives

Applications:

• Highest quality diamonds and optimal crystal orientation guarantee perfect ultrathin sections and a durable cutting edge

• Section pick-up is facilitated as the boat is horizontal allowing the water to completely fill the boat all the way round

• A hydrophilic surface makes it easy to wet the cutting edge, even with low water level

ultra 35°

In 1989 considerably reduced compression, smoother section surfaces and improved structural preservation thanks to the use of our ultra 35° knives was demonstrated (J. C. Jésior, Scanning Microscopy Supplement 3, pp. 17 – 153, 1998).

In the meantime, a large number of researchers have recognized the advantages of 35° knives, in particular for sectioning biological specimens of all kind, non-homogenous specimens, non-decalcified bone, dental material, etc. The ultra 35° knives are perfect for sectioning relatively soft materials research specimens including metals and polymers, as well as mixed specimens such as polymers filled with nanoparticles, brittle materials such as catalysts, crystals, semiconductors, etc (G. Mahon et al., Microscopy Research and Technique, Vol. 31, pp. 267 – 274, 1995, S. R. Glanvill, Microscopy Research and Technique, Vol. 31, pp. 275 – 284, 1995, P. Swab et al., Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 115, pp. 229 – 234, 1989, P. Schubert-Bischoff et al., Microscopy and Microanalysis, proceedings, page 359, 1997).

The ultra 35° knife has demonstrated its usefulness as a standard knife for the majority of applications in both biological and materials research.

ultra sonic

• Thinner sections

• No compression

• Best structure preservation

With correct setting of frequency and amplitude the sections become as long as the height of the sample. The patented ultra sonic knife allows the cutting of ultrathin sections free of compression (D. Studer et al., Journal of Microscopy, Vol. 197, pp. 94 – 100, 2000).

We have tested the ultra sonic knife with the following samples:

• Biological samples in Epon, Araldite, EM Bed, etc.

• Biological samples in acrylic resins Lowicryl, LR White).

• Rigid polymers such as PS, PMMA, ABS, HIPS, modified PP, blends of various kinds.

ultra sonic Maxi

The ultra sonic Maxi is a new wider ultra sonic knife specifically for serial sectioning in biological applications. The knife comes in 3.0mm and 4.0mm sizes with 35° angle.

• Ultrathin sections without compression

• All embedding resins (Epoxies and Acrylates)

• The same control unit as for the ultra sonic usable

• Automatic setting of the resonance frequency

• Knife angle 35°

• Boat (inside 17 x 25 mm) made from titanium

• Easy wetting of the cutting edge

ultra ats

The ultra ats Diamond knife is perfect for placing sections on Si wafers to view under the SEM. The knife comes in 3.0mm size with 35° angle. Please see our Technical Data Sheet for an illustration showing the technique of placing sections on a wafer.

ultra AFM

Our ultra AFM knives are of the highest quality to ensure the increased quality requirements of AFM investigation. They produce extremely smooth sample surfaces and guarantee the best possible structure preservation.

In order to achieve the best results for AFM investigation, only the highest quality diamond knives should be used (P. H. Vallotton et al., J. Biomater. Sci. Polymer Edn., Vol. 6, No. 7, pp. 609 – 620, 1994. N. Matzko et al., Journal of Structural Biology 146, pp. 334 – 343, 2004).

ultra 45°

Acknowledged as the appropriate knife angle for routine sectioning of both biological and materials research specimens, it represents a balanced compromise between section quality and durability.

For the sectioning of a number of hard materials such as ceramics, semiconductors, oxides etc, with the use of the ultra 45° knife a longer service time may be expected. Kindly contact us and make use of our long years experience in all ultramicrotomy applications.

ultra 45° Jumbo

The ultra diamond knife is now available in Jumbo with 35° and 45° angles and in 2.0mm and 3.0mm sizes.

These knives are well suited for serial sectioning for 3D reconstructions and STEM.

References:

J.C. Jésior: Use of low-angle diamond knives leads to improved ultrastructural preservation of ultrathin sections. Scanning Microscopy Supplement 3, pp. 17-153, 1989. Scanning Microscopy International,
Chicago (AMF O'Hare) IL 6066 USA.
L. Edelmann: Freeze-substitution and the preservation of diffusable ions. Journal of Microscopy, Vol. 161, pp. 217-228, 1991.
G. Mahon and T. Malis: Ultramicrotomy of Nano-crystalline Materials. Microscopy Research and Technique, Vol. 31, pp. 267-274, 1995.
S.R. Glanvill: Ultramicrotomy of Semiconductors and Related Materials. Microscopy Research and Technique, Vol. 31, pages 267-274, 1995.
P. Swab abd R.E. Klinger: Preparation of multilayer coatings for cross-sectional Microanalysis by Ultramicrotomy. Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol. 115, pages 229-234, 1989.
P. Swab: Ultra-microscopy of Diamond Films for TEM Cross-Section Analysis. Microscopy Research and Technique, Vol. 31, pp. 308-310, 1995.
C. Quintana: Ultramicrotomy for Cross-sections of Nanostructure. Micron Vol. 28, No. 3, pages 217-219, 1997.
Y. Maniette: Microtomy, a convenient method for preparing TEM samples in ceramic science. Journal of Material Science Letters 9, pages 48-50, 1990.
P. Schubert-Bischoff and T. Krist: Fast cross-sectioning technique for thin films by Ultramicrotomy. Microscopy and Microanalysis, proceedings, page 359, 1997.
J.L. Guerquin-Kern, T.D. Wu, C. Quintana, A. Croisy: Progress in analytical imaging of the cell by dynamic secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS microscopy). BBA 1724, pp. 228-238, 2005.