Vacuum Sample Cell With In-Situ Opening for Air-Sensitive Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring air-sensitive samples from controlled environments to vacuum microscopes are complex, expensive, or compromise sample integrity due to exposure to ambient conditions, lacking the ability to open in-situ for unhindered access and re-seal under vacuum.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum cell with a base part and a selectively transitional upper part that allows for in-situ opening and closing, enabling sample transfer between controlled environments and vacuum microscopes while maintaining sample integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hermetically sealed cells are used to transfer samples from glovebox to microscope, then sample protection from ambient environment is improved, but ability to access sample surface for imaging and re-sealing under vacuum is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed cell is divided into two main parts: a base part that remains in the vacuum environment and an upper part that can be separated. This segmentation allows the sample to be protected during transfer while enabling access for imaging by separating the sealing function from the imaging access requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper part of the sealed cell is made dynamically separable from the base part. The sealing configuration can transition to an open configuration, allowing the sample surface to be accessed for imaging while maintaining the ability to re-seal under vacuum conditions.
2Reliability
If load lock mechanisms are used to transfer samples to high vacuum microscope, then sample integrity is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The complex load lock mechanism is extracted and replaced by a simplified approach: a pre-sealed cell that is evacuated externally before insertion into the vacuum microscope. This eliminates the need for complex in-situ vacuum locking mechanisms while maintaining sample integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum sealing action is performed preliminarily outside the microscope using a separate vacuum source. The cell is evacuated and sealed before being transferred to the microscope, eliminating the need for complex vacuum locking mechanisms within the microscope itself.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sealed cells are used, then sample protection is achieved, but ability to evacuate cell before vacuum microscope insertion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A vacuum-compatible membrane seal acts as an intermediary between the sealed cell interior and the vacuum environment. This membrane allows the cell to be evacuated through a valve while maintaining the seal integrity, enabling vacuum compatibility without compromising sample protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed cell design incorporates multiple functions: ambient sealing, vacuum evacuation capability, and imaging access. The same structure serves as both a protective seal and a vacuum-compatible container, eliminating the need for separate systems.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If hermetically sealed cells are used, then sample protection is improved, but means for re-sealing inside high vacuum microscope is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum cell is designed with self-sealing capability through complementary mechanical features on the base part and upper part. When the upper part is reattached to the base part under vacuum, the sealing surfaces automatically engage and seal, eliminating the need for complex re-sealing mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum cell configured to transport a specimen for imaging by an imaging device in prescribed vacuum conditions includes a first base part including a mounting engagement portion and a sample support portion coupled to the mounting engagement portion. The mounting engagement portion is configured to be engageable with the imaging device, and the sample support portion is configured to support the specimen for imaging. A second upper part is operatively connectable to the first base part and is selectively transitional relative to the first base part between an open position and a closed position. The second upper part and the first base part collectively define a sample chamber configured to retain the sample when the second upper part is in the closed position. The sample chamber is exposed to an outside environment when the second upper part is in the open position.