Abstract:
A micro-chamber for inspecting a sample material immersed in a liquid and a method for filling such a chamber are described. The sample chamber includes an inspection volume for holding the sample material, the inspection volume defined by first and second rigid layers, with a hermetic seal between the layers. The inspection volume within the sample chamber is evacuated. Prior to filling the inspection volume, a thin part of at least one of the rigid layers separates the inspection volume from the outside, the thin part being equipped to be punctured. The liquid with immersed sample material is placed upon the thin part and the thin part is then punctured, resulting in sample material entering the inspection volume.
Abstract:
This charged particle beam device irradiates a primary charged particle beam generated from a charged particle microscope onto a sample arranged on a light-emitting member that makes up at least a part of a sample base, and, in addition to obtaining charged particle microscope images by the light-emitting member detecting charged particles transmitted through or scattered inside the sample, obtains optical microscope images by means of an optical microscope while the sample is still arranged on the sample platform.
Abstract:
A flow directing gasket for improving the flow of a gas or liquid across electron beam transparent membranes in environmental cells within a sample holder of an electron microscope, and uses of the sample holders comprising said flow directing gaskets.
Abstract:
Conventional devices have been difficult to use due to insufficient consideration being given to factors such as the cost necessary for diaphragm replacement and the convenience of the work. In the present invention, a diaphragm mounting member installed in a charged particle beam device for radiating a primary charged particle beam through a diaphragm separating a vacuum space and an atmospheric pressure space onto a sample placed in the atmospheric pressure space is provided with a diaphragm installation portion to which a TEM membrane is mounted and a casing fixing portion mounted on a casing of the charged particle beam device. The diaphragm installation portion has a positioning structure for positioning a platform on which the diaphragm is held.
Abstract:
The present invention is intended to reduce drift in a sample which occurs because of distortion in an O-ring which seals off from the atmosphere a sample chamber in which vacuum is retained. Provided is an electron microscope, wherein a sample holder (2) is inserted in a column (1), comprising: an O-ring (4) which makes airtight the column (1) of the electron microscope and the sample holder (2); a slider tube (30) which slides in the longitudinal direction of the sample holder (2) and positions the sample holder in the longitudinal direction; a bellows (32) which makes airtight the slider tube (30) and the column (1); a means (10) for driving the slider (30) in the longitudinal direction of the sample holder (2); and a holder umping part (40) which positions the sample holder (2) in the longitudinal direction. The electron microscope further comprises a sample movement device which has an elastic material (31) which connects the holder umping part (40) and the slider tube (30).
Abstract:
An interface, a scanning electron microscope and a method for observing an object that is positioned in a non-vacuum environment. The method includes: passing at least one electron beam that is generated in a vacuum environment through at least one aperture out of an aperture array and through at least one ultra thin membrane that seals the at least one aperture; wherein the at least one electron beam is directed towards the object; wherein the at least one ultra thin membrane withstands a pressure difference between the vacuum environment and the non-vacuum environment; and detecting particles generated in response to an interaction between the at least one electron beam and the object.
Abstract:
An apparatus for loading a sample into a particle-optical instrument that includes a slider bearing having a base plate in contact with the vacuum chamber at one side, said base plate showing a first through-hole in contact with the vacuum chamber, and a second plate, one side of the second plate in contact with the base plate, said second plate also showing a through-hole, where the faces of the base plate and the second plate facing each other are sufficiently smooth to form a non-elastomeric vacuum seal and where the second plate is a flexible plate and the face of the flexible plate opposite to the base plate is equipped to seal against a cup equipped to hold a sample. Preferably the through-hole in the base plate shows a rim facing the flexible plate with a controlled curvature, the curvature of the rim formed such that the vacuum seal between the base plate and the flexible plate forms on a pre-defined contour and that the Hertzian contact pressure is smaller than a pre-defined maximum contact pressure, the pre-determined maximum contact pressure chosen to minimize particle generation. By forming the second plate as a flexible plate the pressure with which the base plate and the second plate are pressed together is better reproducible than when both plates are rigid. By forming the rim with a controlled radius, particle generation is minimized.
Abstract:
A beam device, in particular a particle beam device, for analyzing an object is provided, as well as a system comprising a particle beam device and an optical microscope for optically analyzing an object. The beam device simplifies the exchange and reduces the time of the exchange of objects to be examined. The beam device includes at least one beam generator that generates a beam, at least one objective lens that focuses the beam on an object arranged in a holding element. The objective lens comprises at least one connecting element. The holding element may be connected to the connecting element so that the holding element is removable from the connecting element for modification of the object. Alternatively, the holding element may be mounted to a beam column.
Abstract:
A compact electron microscope uses a removable sample holder having walls that form a part of the vacuum region in which the sample resides. By using the removable sample holder to contain the vacuum, the volume of air requiring evacuation before imaging is greatly reduced and the microscope can be evacuated rapidly. In a preferred embodiment, a sliding vacuum seal allows the sample holder to be positioned under the electron column, and the sample holder is first passed under a vacuum buffer to remove air in the sample holder.
Abstract:
An interface, a scanning electron microscope and a method for observing an object that is positioned in a non-vacuum environment. The method includes: passing at least one electron beam that is generated in a vacuum environment through at least one aperture out of an aperture array and through at least one ultra thin membrane that seals the at least one aperture; wherein the at least one electron beam is directed towards the object; wherein the at least one ultra thin membrane withstands a pressure difference between the vacuum environment and the non-vacuum environment; and detecting particles generated in response to an interaction between the at least one electron beam and the object.