Abstract:
Protein structures 1 repeating regularly in one, two or three dimensions comprise protein protomers 2 which each comprise at least two monomers 5, 6 genetically fused together. The monomers 5, 6 are monomers of respective oligomer assemblies 3, 4 into which the monomers are assembled to assembly of the protein structure. The first oligomer assembly 3 has rotational symmetry axes including a set of rotational symmetry axes of order N, where N equals 2, 3, 4 or 6. The second oligomer assembly 4 has a rotational symmetry axis of the same order N as said set of rotational symmetry axes of said first oligomer assembly 3. Due to the symmetry of the oligomer assemblies 3, 4, the rotational symmetry axis axes of each second oligomer assembly 4 is aligned with one of said set of rotational symmetry axes of a first oligomer assembly 3 with N protomers being arranged symmetrically therearound. Thus, an N-fold fusion between the oligomer assemblies 3, 4 is produced and the arrangements of the rotational symmetry axes of the oligomer assemblies 3, 4 cause the protein structure to repeat regularly. The protein structure has many uses, for example to support molecular entities for x-ray crystallography or electron microscopy.
Abstract:
A device, method and system for preparing and storing samples for microscopic analysis is disclosed. The device provides a reservoir that can be attached to a displacement pipette thereby filling the reservoir with reagents desired for preparing the samples for microscopic analysis. In some embodiments, the specimen may be contained on a transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid. In other embodiments, the sample may be a light microscope (LM) specimen or a scanning electron microscope (SEM) specimen. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of preparing samples for microscopic examination including a device for preparing TEM grids with, a device for preparing TEM, SEM or LM specimens with and a device for storing both grids and specimens in. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a system for tracking the preparation, analysis and histological evaluation of multiple samples while also providing for their long term storage.
Abstract:
An ion implantation apparatus with multiple operating modes is disclosed. The ion implantation apparatus has an ion source and an ion extraction means for extracting a ribbon-shaped ion beam therefrom. The ion implantation apparatus includes a magnetic analyzer for selecting ions with specific mass-to-charge ratio to pass through a mass slit to project onto a substrate. Multipole lenses are provided to control beam uniformity and collimation. A two-path beamline in which a second path incorporates a deceleration or acceleration system incorporating energy filtering is disclosed. Finally, methods of ion implantation are disclosed in which the mode of implantation may be switched from one-dimensional scanning of the target to two-dimensional scanning.
Abstract:
A system for analyzing a semiconductor device, including: a first specimen fabricating apparatus including: a vacuum chamber in which a sample substrate is placed, an ion beam irradiating optical system for forming a specimen on the sample substrate, a specimen holder to mount the specimen, and a probe for removing the specimen from the sample substrate; a second specimen fabricating apparatus, and an analyzer to analyze the specimen, wherein said first specimen fabrication apparatus has a function to separate the specimen mounted on the specimen holder and the probe in a vacuum condition.
Abstract:
A specimen fabrication apparatus including a movable sample stage on which a specimen substrate is mounted, a probe connector for firmly joining a tip of a probe to a portion of the specimen substrate in a vicinity of an area on the specimen substrate to be observed in an observation apparatus, a micro-specimen separator for separating from the specimen substrate a micro-specimen to which the tip of the probe is firmly joined, the micro-specimen including the area on the specimen substrate to be observed and the portion of the specimen substrate to which the tip of the probe is firmly joined, a micro-specimen fixer for fixing the micro-specimen separated from the specimen substrate to a specimen holder of the observation apparatus, and a probe separator for separating the tip of the probe from the micro-specimen fixed to the specimen holder.
Abstract:
A specimen fabrication apparatus including a movable sample stage on which a specimen substrate is mounted, a probe connector for firmly joining a tip of a probe to a portion of the specimen substrate in a vicinity of an area on the specimen substrate to be observed in an observation apparatus, a micro-specimen separator for separating from the specimen substrate a micro-specimen to which the tip of the probe is firmly joined, the micro-specimen including the area on the specimen substrate to be observed and the portion of the specimen substrate to which the tip of the probe is firmly joined, a micro-specimen fixer for fixing the micro-specimen separated from the specimen substrate to a specimen holder of the observation apparatus, and a probe separator for separating the tip of the probe from the micro-specimen fixed to the specimen holder.
Abstract:
Mineral samples for use in analytical instruments are created by a system that greatly reduces the sample preparation time and facilitates automation. For example, in some implementations, rather than grinding to expose the interior of mineral particles in sample plug containing mineral particles in an epoxy compound, the sample plug is sliced with a saw, which more rapidly provides in many applications a sufficiently smooth surface on the exposed particle surfaces for observation. Rather than slowly mixing a slow curing epoxy to avoid introducing bubbles into the sample plug, some implementations use a fast settle fixative and a mechanical mixture that avoid bubbles.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a sample for study in a charged-particle microscope, comprising the following steps: - Providing a substantially planar sample holder having opposed faces substantially parallel to one another, comprising at least one aperture that connects said faces and across which a membrane has been mounted, which membrane comprises at least one perforation; - Spanning a film of aqueous liquid across said perforation, which liquid comprises at least one study specimen suspended therein, particularly comprising the following steps: - Prior to said spanning step, placing a blotting sheet of blotting material in intimate contact with a first surface of said membrane, at a side distal from said sample holder; - Depositing said aqueous liquid through said aperture and onto a second surface of said membrane, opposite said first surface; - Subsequently removing said blotting sheet from said membrane.
Abstract:
An electron microscope specimen sample holder including a thin sheet base member with a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first surface defining a seat and support surface for a specimen holding film held by the sample holder, the base member including an aperture through the second surface exposing the holding film held by the sample holder, and including a grip engagement zone defined at least on part of the first surface arranged to engage a gripping device, and wherein at least one of the first or second surface has machine readable structures formed thereon arranged in patterns embodying data that defines at least one predetermined characteristic of the sample holder.