

X-Ray Gas + Heating
Technical Specs

1300 Series – X-Ray | |
Pressure Range at Sample | 10-6 mbar up to 2 bar |
Experimental Gas or Vapor Inlets | 3 – 8 * |
Purge Capability | Yes |
Integrated Gas Analysis Capability | Yes |
Tubing System | User-replaceable tubing |
Biasing Contacts | 4 Contacts |
Heating Temperature | >1000°C |
X-Ray Microscope Compatibility | Custom integration* |
Features

Overview
Our in-situ X-RAY gas cell specimen holder allows researchers to study material behavior in gases and at elevated temperatures (>1000°C), obtaining scanning electron microscope images of gas-solid interactions at real-world reaction temperatures and pressures. Gases are introduced to the microfabricated environmental cell via one of our dedicated gas delivery systems. Cell pressure is fully user-controlled and can be adjusted from high vacuum to above atmospheric pressure. Local specimen heating is provided via an integrated MEMS heater with a temperature sensor calibrated for accurate readings. Now also with custom data/image integration options.
Sample research applications for which realistic reaction conditions can be created in the gas environmental cell are:
- Gas catalysis
- Fuel-cell research
- Growth of nano-structures
- Thin film deposition

How it Works
Hummingbird Scientific’s X-Ray gas system encloses the sample within a microfabricated gas cell in the holder tip, which is sealed from the microscope chamber environment by a patented sealing mechanism. The gas delivery system and heating controller or electrical biasing electronics are located outside of the chamber. Using Hummingbird’s two-chip gas cell, users can prepare their sample of choice using the same methods they would for any other electron transparent membrane substrate.
Edit
Gas Delivery
Hummingbird Scientific’s gas-flow holder comes with either a single-channel or a multi-channel delivery system.
Single-channel gas delivery system
Hummingbird’s single-channel gas delivery system delivers a single pressure-controlled gas to the environmental cell.
Multi-channel gas delivery system
Hummingbird Scientific’s multi-channel gas delivery system is fully configurable and scalable, designed to deliver multiple pressure-controlled gases to an environmental cell at the same time.
Edit
Heating
Our thin-film heating system for the gas holder discretely heats samples in the gas cell to > 1000ºC. Low-drift, high image stability and long lifetimes > 160 hours make the heating system not only robust but allows tracking of the area of interest while imaging at high-magnification.
Heating is controlled via a custom-designed control box and software featuring closed-loop temperature control and four-point probe temperature sensing from an on-chip sensor, which is accurate enough to not only measure the sample temperature but to detect power changes small enough to be able to perform nano-calorimetry.
Edit

X-Ray Safety
Careful preparation of your samples and system are essential for effective use of environmental holders. A critical component of any holder system is a high-vacuum leak check station.
Our high-vacuum pumping station is a compact, all-in-one vacuum storage and seal-checking mechanism for X-Ray specimen holders. The station features short pumping and venting times, and low base pressure (<1e-6 mbar).
EditRelated Products
![]() |
Gas Flow Holder See MoreUsing the gas flow holder, researchers can characterize material behavior in gas environments at elevated temperatures and observe gas-solid interactions at high resolution. The holder is available with either a single or multi-channel gas delivery system. |
![]() |
X-Ray/Synchrotron Liquid Holder See MoreHummingbird’s synchrotron holder is a complete in-situ x-ray lab system, enabling high-resolution material characterization in liquids. The system offers single-inlet, heating, electrochemical, spectroscopy, and cross-correlative features. |
![]() |
Liquid Holder See MoreThe liquid holder is a complete in-situ TEM lab system, designed to support high-resolution material characterization in liquids. The system offers single-inlet, dual-inlet, heating, electrochemical, spectroscopy, and cross-correlative features. |
![]() |
SEM Gas+ Heating Holder See MoreUsing the SEM Gas + Heating holder, researchers can characterize material behavior in gas environments at elevated temperatures and observe gas-solid interactions at high resolution. The holder is available with either a single or multi-channel gas delivery system. |
Edit
Customization & Service


