Cryogenic Objective Mount Thermal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryogenic analysis methods using microscope objectives face challenges such as aberrations caused by longer working distances, thermal drift due to temperature fluctuations, and mechanical vibrations affecting optical stability.

Innovation Solution

The cryogenic analysis assemblies and methods involve an objective assembly aligned with a sample support within a vacuum housing, utilizing a thermally insulating support and a heater to maintain the objective at an elevated temperature, thus minimizing thermal drift and aberrations, and using a radiation shield to prevent thermal radiation loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the objective is mounted outside the cryostat to allow room-temperature operation, then the objective performance is improved, but the working distance must be increased which causes optical aberrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobjective performanceVSAvoidworking distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A vacuum-compatible objective is introduced as an intermediary component that operates within the cryostat vacuum environment. This objective is specifically designed to withstand cryogenic temperatures and vacuum conditions, eliminating the need for window interfaces and allowing optimal working distance while maintaining image quality without aberrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating temperature parameter of the objective is changed from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures. This parameter change allows the objective to be mounted inside the cryostat, reducing the working distance and eliminating optical aberrations caused by window interfaces, while thermal isolation components maintain the objective at stable cryogenic temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the objective is placed inside the cryostat at cryogenic temperatures, then the working distance is reduced improving image quality, but thermal drift and vibrations affect optical stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidoptical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into thermally isolated zones: the objective mount is thermally isolated from the cryostat wall using vacuum insulation and thermal barriers, allowing the objective to maintain a warmer, more stable temperature while the sample remains at cryogenic temperatures. This segmentation reduces thermal drift and improves optical stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cryostat operates in a vacuum environment which serves as an inert thermal atmosphere. This vacuum isolation minimizes heat transfer to the objective, reducing thermal drift and mechanical vibrations, thereby maintaining optical stability during extended imaging periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Ease of operation

If window interfaces are added to increase working distance, then the objective can be mounted outside the cryostat, but optical aberrations are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobjective mountingVSAvoidoptical quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The window interfaces are completely removed from the optical path. The vacuum-compatible objective is designed to operate directly in the vacuum environment without requiring window substrates, eliminating the source of optical aberrations while maintaining ease of operation through simplified mounting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This configuration allows for precise optical imaging of samples between 0 Kelvin and 350 Kelvin with zero aberrations, maintains thermal stability to less than 10mK, and reduces mechanical vibrations, resulting in a virtually thermal drift-free environment for extended periods.

Implementation Method 1

an insulative member between the objective mount and the mounting ring, the insulative member supporting the objective mount and thermally isolating the objective mount from the mounting ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

both the objective assembly and sample support assembly residing within a vacuum housing; wherein the objective assembly defines an objective mount housing an objective coupled to a mounting ring within a chamber below a heater assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4550022A1Cryogenic analysis assemblies and cryogenic analytical methods

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 MONTANA INSTRUMENTS CORP

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AI summary

Cryogenic analysis assemblies and methods are provided. The assemblies and/or methods can be configured for optical sample analysis. The assemblies and/or methods can include: an objective assembly operatively aligned with a sample support assembly, both the objective assembly and sample support assembly residing within a vacuum housing; wherein the objective assembly defines an objective mount housing an objective coupled to a mounting ring within a chamber below a heater assembly; and an insulative member between the objective mount and the mounting ring, the insulative member supporting the objective mount and thermally isolating the objective mount from the mounting ring.