Astrum Swift | Nu Instruments

GD-MS

Quantify virtually all elements from 100% to sub-ppb in a single scan, with a dynamic range spanning 12 orders of magnitude.

Using the dual-detector system with automatic cross calibration, the Astrum Swift can measure 78 isotopes, from lithium to uranium, in under 3 minutes.

Product Details

Overview

Built to meet the demands of industry

Rapid analysis of conducting and non-conducting solids for when material purity is critical

Low Flow Source
- Ultimate stability and ease of tuning: ready to operate in as little as 5 minutes, with low gas backgrounds.
Fast Throughput Capability
- Significantly reduced analysis time makes the Astrum Swift ideal for alloys & low purity material analysis.
Pulsed Cryo-Cooling
- Ultimate temperature control with innovative pulsed cryo-cooling giving lowest gas backgrounds
  and reduced liquid nitrogen consumption. Facilitates analysis of low melting point samples.
Low Cost of Ownership
- Predictable costs, powerful results. Low consumable usage and minimal maintenance.

Quantify virtually all elements from 100% to sub-ppb in a single scan, with a dynamic range spanning 12 orders of magnitude. Using the dual-detector system with automatic cross calibration, the Astrum Swift can measure 78 isotopes, from lithium to uranium, in under 3 minutes.

Rapid analysis of conducting and non-conducting solids for when material purity is critical the Astrum Swift is the GD-MS of choice for critical material analysis

Key Benefits

Low Flow DC Source

Provides ultimate stability and ease of tuning. Ready to operate in as little as 5 minutes from powering up. Low gas flow means low levels of gas borne interferences.

Flexible Sample Geometry

For ultimate analytical convenience. Allows analysis of pin, flat, powder, granular, wire, foil, filament, even liquid samples.

Semi & Non-Conductive Samples

Analysis of semiconductors and even non-conductive samples is possible, when using a secondary cathode to support glow discharge.

Easy Sample Changeover

Tool free sample holder change over with pre-loadable sample holders available for maximum efficiency. Stable tuning and quick set up with auto pump and vent.

Pulsed Cryo-Cooling

Ultimate temperature control with innovative pulsed cryo-cooling gives lowest gas backgrounds and reduced nitrogen consumption. Facilitates analysis of low melting point samples.

Low Gas Background

All Astrums come with a gas purification kit as standard to ensure the lowest C, N & O levels.

Low Cost of Ownership

Predictable costs, powerful results.Reduced liquid nitrogen consumption and user definable cooling schedules for optimises instrument cooling. Few consumable components, robust and reliable design for maximum uptime.

Low Gas Consumption

The low flow design means, at a typical flow rate, a standard pressurized argon bottle can last for years. Reusable Source All source components are reusable. The low contaminant tantalum source is easy to clean, and reduces memory effect.

Fast Throughput Capability

The Astrum Swift features fast throughput, significantly reducing analysis times, particularly for alloys & lower purity materials.

Wide Dynamic Range

Dual-detector system (faraday and ion counting multiplier) provides a dynamic range covering 12 orders of magnitude from 100% to sub ppb in a single scan.

Continuously Variable Resolution

Range: 300 to >10,000 RP.

Wide Mass Range

Mass range of 1-300 AMU in a single scan

CoDaq Software

Nu’s intuitive control and data acquisition software makes getting your results simple, with automatic source tuning, ICE calibration, source pumping and venting.

Turbo Pumping System

Reduced maintenance and quicker pumping times after venting.

Specifications

Key Specifications of the Astrum Swift

Footprint	1600 x 1670 mm plus 600 mm exclusion zone around, allow 2200 x 2270 mm total area
Dynamic Range	>1012 Linear
Mass Resolution	>300 - >10,000 Res
Sensitivity	Peak intensity >1.3 E-09 A total Cu (> 4.33 E-10 A total Cu per W) peak height at 4000 Res
Source Cooling	Temperature Controlled Liquid Nitrogen -20 °C to -180 °C
Source Type	Low-Flow DC-GD-MS
Sample Type	Solid-State Pin & Flat
Automation	Glow Gas Control, Source Tuning, Detector Cross Calibration

Software

With CoDaq Software

Featuring a flexible user interface and features developed in collaboration with industry experts, CoDaq is the new standard in GD-MS software.

Prioritizing user experience, the new Astrum CoDaq software allows for multiple access levels, automated workflows and customisable dashboards. Multiple user-level profiles can be set in CoDaq to facilitate ease of training and maintain compliance in standard operating procedures.

CoDaq is designed to facilitate new and experienced users alike:

Fully automated source venting and pumping
Automatic detector cross-calibration
Flexible automatic source tuning
Auto gas control to maintain glow stability
Liquid nitrogen scheduler

Upgrades & Spares

We supply many different upgrades and spares packages, ranging from pumping upgrades for faster pumping times and increased reliability, to full Astrum Swift upgrades for any standard Astrum or Astrum ES. We currently offer:

Astrum Swift upgrade (available for any Astrum or Astrum ES)
Astrum CoDaq Software upgrade
Astrum ES upgrade (ES extraction lens & fixed source slits, also available separately)
Standard extraction lens
Analyser turbomolecular pump upgrade
1-year consumables & preventative maintenance kit
Pin & Flat sample holders & cells
Adjustable source slit
Electron multiplier flange

Talk to our sales team or explore the full range of upgrade and spare: View all options.

Key Application

Metals

The Astrum Swift powers modern semiconductor manufacturing: exceptional sensitivity enables ultra trace analysis of ultra high purity copper used in advanced IC packaging and interconnect technologies. By helping detect trace metallic contamination, the Astrum Swift supports the reliability and yield of next generation interconnect structures.

Key Application

Superalloys

The Astrum Swift enables rapid analysis of Ni based superalloys used in turbine blade manufacturing. Fast turnaround supports high volume manufacturing operations and stringent quality control workflows. By detecting compositional deviations and trace contaminants, the Astrum Swift helps prevent creep and premature failure under cyclic loading, giving confidence in safety critical components.

close up of semiconductor circuits in glowing light

Key Application

Semiconductors

The Astrum Swift delivers ultra-trace elemental analysis for compound semiconductor materials such as CdTe and GaAs, where impurity control is critical to device performance and manufacturing yield. Ultimate detection limits enable the characterisation of up to 7N purity materials. By identifying trace metallic contaminants at extremely low concentrations, the Astrum Swift provides confidence in materials qualification, process control and the production of high-performance semiconductor devices.

Benefits - At a Glance

Low Cost of Ownership

High Throughput

Easy to Use

Intuitive Software

Full Elemental Analysis

Industry Applications

The Astrum Swift is the industry-leading Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometer (GD-MS), purpose-built for modern high-purity materials analysis. As a solid-state analytical technique, it excels in applications across the semiconductor, high-purity metals, and superalloys industries – delivering unmatched performance with minimal sample preparation. Designed to maximize return on investment, the Astrum Swift unlocks rapid, full elemental analysis with class leading detection limits and the lowest cost of ownership.