Bruker Announces Order for World’s First Commercial 263 GHz EPR Spectrometer from the Helmholtz-Zentrum in Berlin for Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Research Applications

KARLSRUHE, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bruker BioSpin today announces its first order for an ELEXSYS™ E780 system, the world’s first commercial mm-wave 263 Gigahertz (GHz) EPR spectrometer. This unique new system represents a first step for the Bruker EPR division into quasi-optical microwave technology. The E780 incorporates a unique superconducting magnet that can be ramped up to 12 Tesla, and when combined with new EPR probe technology for optimum sensitivity, can measure even large samples up to 5 mm. Based on the well-proven Bruker ELEXSYS concept, the E780 provides multiple turn-key operation modes including CW- and Pulse-EPR, as well as ENDOR and ELDOR, thus enabling leading research groups for the first time to use 263 GHz EPR technology routinely.

“This novel and unique commercial E780 system greatly expands the range of applications in very high-field EPR.”

The first E780 system is expected to be installed at the Helmholtz-Zentrum in Berlin in late 2009 for pioneering new EPR applications in solar energy and photovoltaic research. The total E780 order amount is more than $2.2 million, and was supported by the recent German stimulus package “Konjunkturpaket”. It represents the start of a new research collaboration project between Bruker and the Helmholtz-Zentrum on EPR probe development for electrical detection.

The ELEXSYS E780 is equipped with a quasi-optical front end featuring reflection and induction detection with safe and robust operation. The front-end is interfaced to a single mode resonator for highest sensitivity, and to a non-resonant probe featuring a larger diameter for samples up to 5 mm, both of which allow low temperature measurements down to 4 Kelvin. As with all other ELEXSYS systems, the E780 is driven by the proprietary Intermediate Frequency (IF) concept for optimum phase stability and pulse precision, and runs the Bruker software package Xepr, for routine and assisted expert workflows.

“With the development of the 263 GHz spectrometer Bruker once again sets a milestone in EPR technology, by delivering the world’s highest commercial EPR frequency,” commented Dr. Dieter Schmalbein, Managing Director of Bruker BioSpin. “This novel and unique commercial E780 system greatly expands the range of applications in very high-field EPR.”

“With this new instrument we will be able to identify important details about the structure of defects in thin-film silicon solar cells,” stated Dr. Klaus Lips from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, the coordinator of the German research network EPR-Solar. “I am very grateful to the Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF) for their financial support. The unique E780 spectrometer will strengthen our worldwide leadership in EPR research in the photovoltaic community.”

For further information on ELEXSYS E780, please visit www.bruker-biospin.com/e780

For information about Bruker BioSpin and Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR), visit www.bruker.com

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5998539&lang=en