Cryogenic Cleaving Module for Liquid Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaving samples containing liquid-phase materials at ambient temperatures are inadequate for precise nano-scale cross-sectioning and micro-analysis, particularly when these samples are cryogenically or adhesively mounted on crystalline substrates, as they fail to maintain control over the sample's temperature and precise cleavage process.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a load lock chamber, a cryo-cooler, a vacuum chamber, and a gate valve, with a cleaving module that includes a chuck, cryo-cooling support, cleaving knife, and alignment pins, allowing for the cooling and precise cleavage of liquid samples on a crystalline sample holder, enabling the sample to be cooled below its melting point and then cleaved within a vacuum chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If liquid-phase materials are cleaved at ambient temperature, then the cleavage process is simple, but the sample cannot be maintained in solid phase leading to poor cleavage precision and high artifact generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from ambient to cryogenic temperatures to transform liquid-phase materials into solid phase, enabling precise cleavage. The cryo-cooler system maintains the sample at temperatures below the melting point of the liquid-phase materials throughout the cleavage process, resolving the contradiction between maintaining solid phase and achieving precise cleavage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by cooling liquid-phase materials below their melting point to transform them into solid phase. This phase change enables the materials to be cleaved precisely while in solid state, and the cryo-cooler maintains this phase state throughout the cleavage process, eliminating artifacts associated with cleaving liquid-phase materials.
2Manufacturing precision
If cryogenic cooling is applied to maintain sample in solid phase, then cleavage precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional cooling systems and vacuum chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components: the cryo-cooler is integrated with the sample holder to directly cool the sample, the vacuum chamber houses both the cleavage and cooling systems, and the stage performs both positioning and temperature control. This merging reduces the overall system complexity despite the advanced capabilities required for precise cryogenic cleavage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs components with multiple functions: the sample holder serves as both a mounting platform and a heat transfer conduit for the cryo-cooler; the vacuum chamber provides both vacuum environment and housing for cleavage tools; the stage performs positioning, alignment, and temperature maintenance. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If liquid samples are mounted on crystalline substrates, then sample stability improves, but the cleavage process becomes difficult due to adhesion between sample and substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to cryogenic levels, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties of both the sample and substrate. At these temperatures, the adhesion between sample and substrate is reduced while maintaining sample stability, enabling clean cleavage. The differential thermal contraction at cryogenic temperatures also creates a small gap that facilitates cleavage propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cooling to the mounted sample before attempting cleavage. This pre-cooling step reduces the adhesion forces between the liquid-phase material and crystalline substrate, preventing the sample from sticking to the substrate during the cleavage process and enabling successful separation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and controlled cleavage of liquid-phase materials, allowing for subsequent imaging and micro-analysis with reduced artifacts, as the apparatus maintains the sample in a solid phase during the cleavage process, facilitating high-resolution imaging and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid sample is coolable to a temperature below a melting point of each of the materials that are in the liquid phase at ambient temperatures
Implementation Method 2
The cryo-cooler is configured to cool and/or maintain a temperature of the sample holder and the sample below the melting point of each of the liquid-phase materials
Implementation Method 3
The gate valve has at least one opening therein configured to (i) allow the cleaving module to enter and exit the vacuum chamber and/or (ii) permit gaseous communication between the load lock chamber and the vacuum chamber
Implementation Method 4
a vacuum chamber configured to receive the cleaving module from the load lock chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for cleaving a liquid sample are disclosed. The apparatus includes a load lock chamber containing a cleaving module, a cryo-cooler, a vacuum chamber configured to receive the cleaving module from the load lock chamber, and a gate valve between the load lock chamber and the vacuum chamber. The cleaving module is configured to cleave a crystalline sample holder and the liquid sample. The liquid sample includes one or more liquid phase materials and is cleavable by the cleaving module when in the solid phase. The cryo-cooler is configured to cool and/or maintain a temperature of the sample holder and the sample below the melting point of each of the liquid phase materials. The gate valve has at least one opening therein configured to (i) allow the cleaving module to enter and exit the vacuum chamber and/or (ii) permit gaseous communication between the load lock chamber and the vacuum chamber.