Flat Membrane Sample Cell for Time-Resolved Electron Diffraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample cells for electron diffraction are cumbersome to handle and not suitable for easily loading multiple samples, particularly for crystallization processes, as they require assembly and specialized holders, limiting their use in high-quality, time-resolved measurements.
Innovation Solution
A sample cell with a flat, laterally extended sample space delimited by membranes and holding elements with aligned openings, allowing for easy loading and handling, and capable of forming crystals within its space, which can be used in electron diffraction measurements without the need for specialized holders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sample cells with base and cover plates are used, then the sample chamber can be sealed, but the sample cell requires specialized TEM sample holders and cannot be removed, making sample handling laborious and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The sample cell is divided into a base plate and a cover plate that can be separated. The base plate contains the sample chamber with sealing elements, while the cover plate can be removed to access the sample. This segmentation allows the sample to be loaded and unloaded easily while maintaining sealing capability when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate is extracted from the closed sample cell structure, allowing the sample chamber to be accessed. The sealing elements remain on the base plate, enabling the cover plate to be removed and reattached without compromising the sealing capability when the sample cell is closed.
2Length of moving object
If thin samples are used for electron diffraction, then the maximum thickness in beam direction is reduced, but the lateral size must be maximized to obtain strong diffraction signal and reduce radiation damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sample cell provides a flat, laterally extended sample chamber that accommodates thin samples with large lateral dimensions. The base plate and cover plate create a confined space that maintains sample flatness and thickness while allowing large lateral area for strong diffraction signals and radiation damage distribution.
3Reliability
If specialized TEM sample holders are used for conventional sample cells, then the sample chamber can be sealed, but the sample cell cannot be removed from the holder, limiting versatility and increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sample cell is designed with a universal interface that can be loaded into different TEM sample holders. The base plate and cover plate configuration with integrated sealing elements creates a self-contained unit that can be removed, cleaned, and reused with different holders and samples, increasing versatility while maintaining vacuum tightness.
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 high-quality, time-resolved electron diffraction measurements with reduced radiation damage by distributing the beam over a larger sample volume, and simplifies the handling and preparation of samples, including crystallization processes, while maintaining vacuum tightness for sensitive organic samples.
Implementation Method 1
To examine samples using electron diffraction, very thin samples must be used
Implementation Method 2
potential radiation damage can be reduced by distributing the radiation dose over a larger volume
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a sample cell (2), a loading station (40), a measuring device (60), a method for examining a flat sample and for producing a flat crystal, and the use of a sample cell (2). The sample cell (2) comprises at least one flat sample chamber (4), which is bounded on its first large flat side (6a) by a first inner surface (8a) of a first membrane (10a) and on its second large flat side (6b) by a second inner surface (8b) of a second membrane (10b), wherein a spacer (12) is arranged between the first and the second inner surfaces (8a, 8b), which defines a distance between the two membranes (10a, 10b).and wherein a first retaining element (18a) is arranged on a first outer surface (16a) of the first membrane (10a) facing away from the sample chamber (4) and a second retaining element (18b) is arranged on a second outer surface (16b) of the second membrane (10b) facing away from the sample chamber (4), and the first and second retaining elements (18a, 18b) together form a retaining structure (20), wherein the first and second retaining elements (18a, 18b) each have a plurality of openings (22) which are arranged in alignment with each other in a direction (R) transverse to the flat sides (6a, 6b), so that a plurality of examination windows (24) are obtained in which the outer surfaces (16a, 16b) of the membranes (10a, 10b) are exposed.