Gold sputter coater for desktop and floor model SEM sample preparation
The LUXORAu is the fully automatic gold sputter coater for SEM imaging up to 50.000x. One-touch operation. High quality homogeneous gold coatings.
Trusted by research labs, universities, and industrial QC teams worldwide.
LUXORAu at a glance
| Coating materials | Gold · Gold/Palladium |
| Max SEM magnification | 50.000x |
| Sample capacity | 7 × Ø12.5 mm stubs |
| Coating thickness | 1–100 nm (continuous) |
| Operation | Fully automatic, touchscreen |
| Gas supply | Air or Argon |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 340 × 340 × 290 mm |
Fully automated operation
Simply select the required coating thickness and press start — the system handles the entire coating process automatically.
Upside-down design
The unique “upside-down” design of the target and samples protects your SEM column, improves operator safety and coating quality, and offers greater flexibility.
3D coating
Apply coatings to complex three-dimensional structured samples without requiring a turbo-molecular pump, rotational, tilting, or planetary stages.
Smart, innovative technology
LUXOR’s plug-and-play, pre-mounted targets and removable sample holder enable quick and straightforward sample handling, reduce the overall cost of ownership, support intuitive user-friendly operation, and minimize downtime.
Ready to upgrade your SEM sample preparation?
The compact and fully automatic LUXORAu fits seamlessly into any lab workflow. Request a personalised quote and find out how easy gold sputter coating can be.
Why choose gold coating for SEM?
Gold (Au) sputter coating remains the most widely used SEM sample preparation method for general-purpose electron microscopy.
It is the preferred method to protect samples from charging at magnifications up to 50.000x, ensuring reliable conductivity and minimal beam damage to non-conductive and beam-sensitive samples.
When to choose gold coating
Use cases
- General SEM imaging up to 50,000×
- Routine lab workflows
- Cost-effective coating for high throughput
Materials
Styrofoam
LDPE + glass fibers
Face mask
Egg shell
What labs say about LUXORAu
“The LUXORAu is a compact and fully automated instrument. All we need to do is enter the coating thickness and push start.
The layer thickness is also monitored very precisely, and we see that, unlike before, the gold coating is practically transparent, a clear indication that it is in the requested 10 nm range.”
Get a quote for the LUXORAu
Interested in the LUXOR Au gold sputter coater? Request a personalised quote or book a product demonstration.
- Free product demonstration available
- Global distributor network
Frequently asked questions
What is a gold sputter coater used for?
A gold sputter coater applies a thin conductive gold layer to non-conductive SEM samples to prevent charge accumulation, improve secondary electron yield, and enable high-quality SEM imaging at magnifications up to 50,000×.
How thick should a gold sputter coating be for SEM?
For most SEM imaging applications, a gold coating of 5–15 nm is recommended. The LUXOR Au allows continuous selection from 1 to 100 nm to suit specific sample and imaging requirements.
How much does a gold sputter coater cost?
The price of a gold sputter coater varies depending on specifications and included accessories. Request a personalised quote from LUXOR and receive a full package price including vacuum pump and sample holders.
Can the LUXOR Au coat with gold/palladium as well as pure gold?
Yes. The LUXOR Au accepts both gold and gold/palladium interchangeable targets. Switching between target materials takes only seconds.