Denton Vacuum
Desk II Gold
Provisional entry — research in progress
This page was generated automatically from cited public sources and hasn't completed the full research pass yet. Every specification shown carries its source; more detail is added as research completes.
Power
120 VAC[2]
Vacuum
leaking vacuum oil[1]
Gas delivery
Argon (UHP-Plus grade; 99.9993% pure)[2]
Optics
~20 nm per 60 seconds[2]
How it works
The system includes an etch process mode as well as sputter deposition modes. An argon purge sequence is used before carbon evaporation when the Carbon Evaporation Accessory is fitted. The chamber is a glass cylinder that is lifted off to load and unload samples, and the chamber vents automatically when the system is switched off.[2]
Applications
The Desk II is used in microscopy laboratories for coating specimens with conductive metals such as gold, gold/palladium, and platinum. In addition to sputter coating, the system can be fitted with a Carbon Evaporation Accessory for depositing carbon films. The carbon evaporation mode requires the operator to wear provided safety glasses and to control the evaporation current carefully, with a maximum of 50 A on the accessory meter.[3][2]
Why won't it start?
Documented failure modes, common issues, and field considerations.
- Leaking vacuum oil
- Needs new gold target
What do the numbers mean?
Power & electrical1
Vacuum & pumping5
- leaking vacuum oil[1]
Gas & chemistry1
Optics & imaging2
Configuration & options6
- needs new gold target[1]
Vintage & configurations
Documented models & variants
| Designation | Generation | Vintage | Changes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desk II TSC | — | — | Turbo-pumped sputter coater with rotating/tilting specimen holder and film thickness monitor | microscopy.beckman.illinois.edu[3] |
What does it need to run?
Site utility requirements, footprint, and infrastructure needed to install and operate this tool. Sourced from public records.
Where are the manuals?
Generated from public-source data on file. Enter your email to access — nothing is published; details are routed privately.
Not publicly documented
Field notes
No research found yet — worked with this tool? Share what you know.
Frequently asked questions
What are the utility requirements for the Denton Desk II sputtering system?
The Desk II sputtering system requires 120 VAC, 10 A, and the Carbon Evaporation Accessory also requires 120 VAC, 10 A. The process gas is argon supplied from a T-sized tank, with the line pressure regulated to 7 psig at the tank.[2]
What process gases does the Denton Desk II use?
The sputterer uses argon (UHP-Plus grade; 99.9993% pure) as its process gas.[2]
How thick a gold film does a typical Desk II deposition produce?
A deposition time of 60 seconds results in approximately 20 nm of gold film.[2]
Can the Denton Desk II etch samples as well as coat them?
Yes. The Desk II has an etch process mode that uses argon plasma to etch samples before deposition. The ETCH PROCESS button is used to start this mode, and a typical etch time is 30 seconds.[2]
Does the Denton Desk II support carbon coating?
Yes. With the Carbon Evaporation Accessory, the Desk II can deposit carbon films. The accessory uses two carbon rods in a yoke, and the deposition current is typically set to about 30 A for roughly 30 to 45 seconds, never exceeding 50 A.[2]
Not publicly documented
The following facts about the Desk II Gold are absent from this record as of this revision. First-hand knowledge or a citation closes a gap; every submission is reviewed before publication.
No publicly documented production dates or lifecycle milestones (introduction, end of production, EOL) for the Desk II Gold are on record.
Answerable by: OEM historical records or a trade-press announcement
The control-system platform and OS era of the Desk II Gold are not on record.
Answerable by: an engineer who operated it or OEM installation records
The process node or technology generation of the Desk II Gold is not on record.
Answerable by: an OEM datasheet or a fab qualification report
No publicly documented compatible parts, consumables, or accessories for the Desk II Gold are on record.
Answerable by: an OEM parts catalog or a service engineer
No publicly hosted manuals, SOPs, or datasheets for the Desk II Gold are on record.
Answerable by: university cleanroom staff or an OEM application specialist
Sources & citations
Sources (3)Every fact above is drawn from these public sources
- [1]Inventory photo
- [2]nanofab.ku.edu — nanofab.ku.edunanofab.ku.edu
- [3]microscopy.beckman.illinois.edu — microscopy.beckman.illinois.edumicroscopy.beckman.illinois.edu
Last updated Oct 12, 2026.
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