26. August 2025
Nanospectroscopy enables the analysis of materials and biological structures with nanometer-scale resolution. By probing photon or electron interactions, researchers can gain insights into both structural and dynamic properties at the atomic level. Applications are diverse, ranging from materials science and next-generation semiconductor technologies to biophysics, where processes such as protein folding and molecular interactions can be studied in detail. Achieving this level of precision, however, requires not only sophisticated detection methods but also accurate control of the temporal and spectral properties of the probing beam.
To meet these requirements, many nanospectroscopic experiments rely on chopper systems. By segmenting a continuous beam into well-defined pulses, choppers enable the temporal structuring that forms the basis of high-resolution, time-resolved (TR) measurements. Synchronization with detectors and other instruments ensures reproducible accuracy, while flexible pulse definition allows researchers to adapt experiments to specific demands.
Celeroton’s CM-AMB chopper has been designed to address these challenges in the most demanding scientific environments. Its magnetically levitated rotor ensures fully contact-free operation, eliminating the limitations of conventional mechanical bearings. This unique design delivers distinct advantages for nanospectroscopic applications. The CM-AMB has demonstrated reliable operation in high and ultra-high vacuum conditions, from 10⁻⁷ bara down to 5 × 10⁻⁸ bara, making it ideally suited for experiments where vacuum compatibility and absolute cleanliness are essential. In addition, the contact-free suspension enables stable, frequency-independent pulse shaping, allowing constant pulse definition across different rotation speeds and providing the flexibility to tailor pulse durations precisely to experimental requirements.
The benefits of this technology extend across a wide range of scientific fields. In crystallography (MX) and structural analysis such as small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), the CM-AMB provides precise pulse generation for time-resolved (TR) experiments. At synchrotron and free-electron-laser (FEL) beamlines, it enables accurate beam modulation even under extreme conditions. In nanospectroscopy, it ensures optimized signal-to-noise ratios through exact temporal control. Beyond this broad applicability, the CM-AMB also stands out for its reliability: with no mechanical wear, no lubricants, and no friction. Maintenance requirements are significantly reduced, purity in the experimental environment is maximized, and operational lifetime is extended, even under continuous high-demand operation.
Nanospectroscopy opens new frontiers in both materials and life sciences. With the CM-AMB, Celeroton provides a chopper system that fully meets the demands of this rapidly advancing field with proven high and ultra-high vacuum capability, flexible and frequency-independent pulse control, and robust, contact-free, low-maintenance operation. The CM-AMB is not only a powerful tool for today’s nanospectroscopic research but also a platform for the next generation of time-resolved (TR) and high-precision spectroscopic experiments.