Hermetic Sample Holder for In-Holder Contact Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hermetic sample holders for electro-optical measurements lack the ability to switch electrical contacts without opening the holder cavity, imposing restrictions on contact configuration and requiring time-consuming transfers to sealed gloveboxes.
Innovation Solution
A hermetic sample holder with a clamp and electric circuit components that allow external manipulation of electrical contacts, enabling switching within the sealed environment using rod-manipulators and insulator fingers, maintaining hermeticity during electro-optical measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sample holder is hermetically sealed to protect the sample from environmental degradation, then the sample protection is improved, but the ability to switch electrical contacts is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested manipulation mechanisms where rod-manipulators rotate within the hermetic holder to position insulator fingers that contact the sample electrodes. The insulator fingers are nested within the holder cavity, allowing contact switching without breaking the hermetic seal. This nested structure enables multiple levels of manipulation (rod rotation, finger positioning) while maintaining sample isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces insulator fingers as intermediary elements that transfer electrical contact between external circuitry and the sample electrodes. These insulator fingers act as mediators, allowing electrical connection to be established and switched without direct external access to the sample. The insulator material ensures electrical isolation while enabling mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between hermetic sealing and contact switching.
2Loss of time
If the sample holder allows switching of electrical contacts without opening the cavity, then the measurement time is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic manipulation mechanisms with rod-manipulators that can rotate and position insulator fingers to contact different electrodes on the sample. This dynamic structure allows switching between multiple electrical contacts without requiring separate holders or opening the cavity. The rotational and positioning capabilities provide flexibility for contact switching while maintaining a single hermetic enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetic holder is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it provides hermetic sealing, houses manipulation mechanisms, supports multiple electrode contacts, and maintains optical access for measurements. The same holder structure performs all these functions simultaneously, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and minimizing overall system complexity despite the added switching capability.
3Reliability
If built-in electrical connectors are used to connect to sample electrodes, then the electrical connection is improved, but the contact configuration flexibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed built-in electrical connectors with dynamic insulator fingers that can be positioned to contact different electrodes on the sample. The insulator fingers can be moved and rotated to establish electrical connection with various contact points, providing flexibility in contact configuration. This dynamic positioning capability allows adaptation to different sample geometries and electrode arrangements while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the insulator material.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hermetic sample holder (100) for electro-optical and/or opto-electrical measurements is disclosed. The sample holder comprises a one-piece metal body (101) and a lid (107) forming a sample cavity equipped with a clamp (113) for securing the sample, optical windows (108, 109) in the lid and in a bottom wall of the metal body, and rotatable and translatable rod-manipulators (111) having electric connectors (305) fixed to an end thereof via plastic insulator fingers to apply a voltage to the sample. The electric connectors are designed for direct contact with electrical contact pads (404) on the sample. (400). The sample holder is designed for ease of use in a standard inert atmosphere glovebox and enables switching between contact pads on the sample without unsealing the sample holder.