Sample mounting apparatus and method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging

Abstract

This invention relates to a sample mounting apparatus and method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging. The apparatus includes a capillary tube for accommodating the sample, a syringe, a clamping mechanism, and a support. Both the clamping mechanism and the support are fixed to a sample stage. The clamping mechanism holds the front portion of the capillary tube, and the support supports the tail portion of the capillary tube and the syringe. The syringe is equipped with a needle to adsorb the sample onto the needle and then deliver it into the capillary tube via the syringe and the needle. The sample mounting apparatus and method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging of this invention utilizes a retractable hook to clamp capillary tubes of different sizes; the sample is adsorbed and blown into the capillary tube via the syringe and needle, avoiding the influence of adhesive adhesion on imaging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of synchrotron radiation nanoimaging, and more specifically to a sample mounting device and method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging. Background Technology

[0002] Synchrotron radiation nanoscale full-field transmission X-ray microscope (TXM) is an imaging device with nanoscale spatial resolution and has wide applications in materials, energy, and other fields. Since TXM imaging systems require sample sizes of approximately 10-20 micrometers, the ability to successfully mount micrometer-sized samples onto the sample stage is a key factor limiting nanoscale imaging.

[0003] In existing technologies, micron-sized particulate samples are usually glued to the tip of a metal needle. However, during the bonding process, the sample often sticks to the side of the metal needle tip, causing local occlusion of the metal sample and affecting the imaging quality; moreover, the bonding efficiency is low. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sample mounting device and method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging, so as to improve sample mounting efficiency and enhance imaging quality.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a sample mounting device for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging, comprising a syringe, a clamping mechanism, a support, and a capillary for accommodating a sample. The clamping mechanism and the support are both fixed on a sample stage. The clamping mechanism clamps the front part of the capillary, and the support supports the tail part of the capillary and the syringe. The syringe is provided with a needle to adsorb the sample onto the needle and deliver it into the capillary through the syringe and the needle.

[0006] Furthermore, the capillary has a tapered tip, the minimum inner diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the sample, and the maximum inner diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the sample, so that the sample is fixed at the tip.

[0007] Furthermore, the length of the capillary is 5-7 cm.

[0008] Furthermore, the needle is a flat needle.

[0009] Furthermore, the support is provided with a first receiving groove and a second receiving groove, the first receiving groove being used to receive the tail end of the capillary, and the second receiving groove being used to receive the syringe.

[0010] Furthermore, the support is a Y-shaped triangular support, including a first support rod, a second support rod, and a third support rod. The first receiving groove is disposed on the first support rod, the second receiving groove is disposed on the second support rod, and the third support rod is fixedly connected to the sample stage.

[0011] Furthermore, the bottom end of the clamping mechanism is fixedly connected to the sample stage, and the top of the clamping mechanism includes a clamping body and a retractable hook relative to the clamping body. The hook is used to hook the capillary tube, so that the capillary tube is clamped between the clamping body and the hook.

[0012] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism also includes a base and a hand rest. The hand rest is fixedly connected to the clamping body. The hand rest is hollow inside. The top end of the base is slidably disposed inside the hand rest, and the bottom end of the base extends out of the hand rest and is fixedly connected to the sample stage. An elastic element and a connecting rod are disposed inside the hand rest. The elastic element is compressed between the base and the clamping body. The clamping body has a through hole. The bottom end of the connecting rod is pressed against the top end of the base by the elastic element. The top end of the connecting rod passes through the through hole and extends out of the clamping body. The hook is fixed to the top end of the connecting rod.

[0013] Furthermore, the top of the clamping body is provided with a groove for accommodating the end of the hook.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides a sample mounting method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging, comprising the following steps:

[0015] After fixing the clamping mechanism and the bracket onto the sample stage, the front part of the capillary is fixed by the clamping mechanism.

[0016] Place the tail end of the capillary on the support to support the capillary.

[0017] The sample is adsorbed into the needle using a syringe;

[0018] Insert the needle into the capillary from the tail end to the tip.

[0019] Place the syringe on the support and slowly advance the syringe plunger so that the sample is fixed at the tip by aerodynamic force.

[0020] The sample mounting device and method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging of the present invention adsorbs and blows the sample into a capillary tube using a syringe and needle, avoiding the influence of glue adhesion on imaging; in addition, a retractable hook can be used to clamp capillary tubes of different sizes; the device of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to operate, has a high success rate, and is universally applicable to samples of different sizes in the micrometer range. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a sample mounting device for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of part A;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 BB cross-sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are given below with reference to the accompanying drawings and described in detail.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a sample mounting device for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging, including a capillary 100 for accommodating micrometer-scale samples, a syringe 200 for loading the sample into the capillary 100, a clamping mechanism 300, and a support 400. The clamping mechanism 300 and the support 400 are both fixed on a sample stage 500. The clamping mechanism 300 clamps the front part of the capillary 100 (the part away from the syringe 200), and the tail part of the capillary 100 (the part close to the syringe 200) and the syringe 200 are mounted on the support 400 so that the support 400 supports the capillary 100 and the syringe 200, ensuring the stability of the entire sample mounting device.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the capillary 100 has a tapered tip 110 located at the foremost end of the capillary 100, wherein the minimum inner diameter of the tip 110 is smaller than the diameter of the sample 600, and the maximum inner diameter of the tip 110 is larger than the diameter of the sample 600, thereby allowing the sample 600 to be fixed at the tip 110.

[0027] In some embodiments, the length of the capillary 100 can be 5-7 cm to meet the specific height requirements of the nanoimaging experimental station. The length of the tip 110 can be specifically set according to actual needs; in some embodiments, the length of the tip 110 can be less than 1 cm.

[0028] The syringe 200 is equipped with a needle 210 to draw the sample 600 onto the needle 210 through the syringe 200, and then deliver the sample 600 into the tip 110 of the capillary 100 through the syringe 200 and the needle 210.

[0029] The needle 210 can be a flat needle to prevent the tapered tip from puncturing the capillary 100. In addition, the flat needle makes it easier to inject the sample 600. In order to deliver the sample 600 to the tip 110 of the capillary 100, the length of the needle 210 needs to match the length of the capillary 100, for example, it can be the same as the length of the capillary 100.

[0030] In some embodiments, the support 400 is provided with a first receiving groove and a second receiving groove (neither shown in the figure), the first receiving groove is used to receive the tail of the capillary 100, and the second receiving groove is used to receive the syringe 200, so that the support 400 supports the capillary 100 and the syringe 200.

[0031] In some embodiments, the support 400 can be a triangular support arranged in a generally Y-shape, including a first support rod 410, a second support rod 420, and a third support rod 430. A first receiving groove is disposed on the first support rod 410, which supports the capillary tube 100. A second receiving groove is disposed on the second support rod 420, which supports the syringe 200. The third support rod 430 is fixedly connected to the sample stage 500. The triangular support can make the overall structure more stable and the injection of the sample 600 more stable. In some embodiments, the first support rod 410, the second support rod 420, and the third support rod 430 can be integrally formed.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the bottom end of the clamping mechanism 300 is fixed to the sample stage 500, and the top end is provided with a retractable hook 310. The hook 310 is used to hook the capillary tube 100 to clamp the capillary tube 100. Since the hook 310 is retractable, the degree of extension of the hook 310 can be adjusted according to the size of the capillary tube 100, thereby achieving clamping of capillary tubes 100 of different sizes.

[0033] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 300 may further include a base 320, a hand rest 330, and a clamping body 340. The hand rest 330 and the clamping body 340 are fixedly connected by threads. The hand rest 330 is hollow inside. The top end of the base 320 is located inside the hand rest 330 and can slide inside the hand rest 330. The bottom end of the base 320 extends out of the hand rest 330 and is fixedly connected to the sample stage 500. An elastic element 350 (e.g., a spring, a sheet, etc.) and a connecting rod 360 are provided inside the hand rest 330. The elastic element 350 is compressed between the base 320 and the clamping body 340. The clamping body 340 has a through hole 341. The bottom end of the connecting rod 360 is pressed against the top end of the base 320 by the elastic element 350. The top end of the connecting rod 360 passes through the through hole 341 and extends out of the clamping body 340. A hook 310 is fixed to the top end of the connecting rod 360.

[0034] In some embodiments, the top end of the base 320 can be a U-shaped structure, which is locked inside the hand support 330, but can slide inside the hand support 330; the elastic member 350 is located in the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped structure, and the bottom end of the connecting rod 360 can be a circular plate structure, on which the elastic member 350 presses to fix it in the U-shaped groove.

[0035] The clamping body 340 can be roughly conical in shape. The top of the cone is small in volume, which can accurately clamp the small capillary tube 100. The bottom of the cone is larger in volume, which has a better stable structure.

[0036] The outer side of the hand support 330 may be provided with a support part 331. By pressing the support part 331, the hand support 330 and the clamping body 340 can move up and down relative to the base 320.

[0037] The top of the clamping body 340 is provided with a groove 342 for accommodating the end of the hook 310.

[0038] The operating principle of the clamping mechanism 300 is as follows:

[0039] After fixing the base 320 to the sample stage 500, press down on the support part 331 of the hand support 330, so that the hand support 330 and the clamping body 340 move downward relative to the base 320. The hook 310 will extend from the groove 342. When the extended hook 310 can accommodate the capillary 100, put the capillary 100 into the hook 310 so that the hook 310 hooks the capillary 100. Then release the hand. Under the action of the elastic element 350, the hand support 330 and the clamping body 340 will move upward relative to the base 320 until the top of the clamping body 340 contacts the capillary 100, so that the capillary 100 is clamped and fixed between the clamping body 340 and the hook.

[0040] In some embodiments, both the clamping mechanism 300 and the bracket 400 can be fixed to the sample stage 500 by the elastic clip 700. For example, the bottom end of the base 320 is fixed to the sample stage 500 by the elastic clip 700, and the third support rod 430 is fixed to the sample stage 500 by the elastic clip 700. This allows for portable fixing of the clamping mechanism 300 and the bracket 400.

[0041] To make it easier to fix the sample 600 in the capillary 100, after the capillary 100 and the syringe 200 are installed in place, the capillary 100 and the syringe 200 can be as close to the same horizontal line as possible. Therefore, in some embodiments, the capillary 100 and the support 400 can be at approximately the same height after being fixed to the sample stage 500.

[0042] The method for mounting a sample using the sample mounting device of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0043] S100: After fixing the clamping mechanism 300 and the bracket 400 on the sample stage 500, the front part of the capillary tube 100 is fixed by the clamping mechanism 300.

[0044] S200: Place the tail end of the capillary 100 on the support 400 to support the capillary 100.

[0045] S300: The sample 600 is adsorbed into the needle 210 through the syringe 200;

[0046] S400: Insert the needle 210 into the capillary 100 from the tail end of the capillary 100 and reach the tip 110 of the capillary 100.

[0047] S500: Place the syringe 200 on the support 400 and slowly advance the plunger of the syringe 200 so that the sample 600 is fixed at the tip 110 under the action of aerodynamics.

[0048] Since the diameter of sample 600 is between the minimum and maximum inner diameter of tip 110, there must be a point in tip 110 where the inner diameter is equal to that of sample 600. Under the action of aerodynamics, sample 600 gradually moves in tip 110. When it moves to a point where the inner diameter is equal to that of sample 600, sample 600 will be stuck and will not move, thus fixing sample 600.

[0049] The sample mounting device and method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging according to embodiments of the present invention can clamp capillary tubes 100 of different sizes through a retractable hook 310; the sample 600 is adsorbed and blown into the capillary tube 100 by a syringe 200 and a needle 210, avoiding the influence of glue adhesion on imaging; the device of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to operate, has a high success rate, and is universally applicable to samples 600 of different sizes on the micrometer scale.

[0050] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Various variations can be made to the above embodiments of the present invention. That is, all simple and equivalent changes and modifications made based on the claims and description of this invention fall within the protection scope of the claims of this patent. All aspects not described in detail in this invention are conventional technical content.

Claims

1. A sample mounting device for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging, characterized in that, The device includes a syringe, a clamping mechanism, a support, and a capillary tube for containing a sample. The clamping mechanism and the support are both fixed to a sample stage. The clamping mechanism clamps the front part of the capillary tube, and the support supports the tail part of the capillary tube and the syringe. The capillary tube and the syringe are on the same horizontal line. The syringe is provided with a needle to adsorb the sample onto the needle and deliver it into the capillary tube through the syringe and the needle. The capillary has a tapered tip, the minimum inner diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the sample, and the maximum inner diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the sample, so that the sample is fixed at the tip. The support is provided with a first receiving groove and a second receiving groove. The first receiving groove is used to receive the tail end of the capillary, and the second receiving groove is used to receive the syringe. The support is a Y-shaped triangular support, including a first support rod, a second support rod and a third support rod. The first receiving groove is disposed on the first support rod, the second receiving groove is disposed on the second support rod, and the third support rod is fixedly connected to the sample stage. The bottom end of the clamping mechanism is fixedly connected to the sample stage, and the top of the clamping mechanism includes a clamping body and a retractable hook relative to the clamping body. The hook is used to hook the capillary tube, so that the capillary tube is clamped between the clamping body and the hook.

2. The sample mounting device for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the capillary is 5-7 cm.

3. The sample mounting device for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging according to claim 1, characterized in that, The needle is a flat needle.

4. The sample mounting device for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism further includes a base and a hand rest. The hand rest is fixedly connected to the clamping body. The hand rest is hollow inside. The top end of the base is slidably disposed inside the hand rest. The bottom end of the base extends out of the hand rest and is fixedly connected to the sample stage. An elastic element and a connecting rod are disposed inside the hand rest. The elastic element is compressed between the base and the clamping body. The clamping body has a through hole. The bottom end of the connecting rod is pressed against the top end of the base by the elastic element. The top end of the connecting rod passes through the through hole and extends out of the clamping body. The hook is fixed to the top end of the connecting rod.

5. The sample mounting device for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging according to claim 4, characterized in that, The top of the clamping body is provided with a groove for accommodating the end of the hook.

6. A sample mounting method for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging, characterized in that, The sample mounting apparatus for synchrotron radiation nanoimaging as described in any one of claims 1-5 includes the following steps: After fixing the clamping mechanism and the bracket onto the sample stage, the front part of the capillary is fixed by the clamping mechanism. Place the tail end of the capillary on the support to support the capillary. The sample is adsorbed into the needle using a syringe; Insert the needle into the capillary from the tail end to the tip. Place the syringe on the support and slowly advance the syringe plunger so that the sample is fixed at the tip by aerodynamic force.

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