Laminar Air Flow Chamber

A laminar flow cabinet is a carefully enclosed bench designed to prevent contamination of semiconductor wafers, biological samples, or any particle sensitive device. Air is drawn through a HEPA filter and blown in a very smooth, laminar flow towards the user. The cabinet is usually made of stainless steel with no gaps or joints where spores might collect.

Such hoods exist in both horizontal and vertical configurations, and there are many different types of cabinets with a variety of airflow patterns and acceptable uses. NSF49 is the commonly accepted regulatory standard for these cabinets.

Laminar flow cabinets may have a UV-C germicidal lamp to sterilize the shell and contents when not in use. (It is important to switch this light off during use, as it will quickly give any exposed skin sunburn and may cause cataracts.)