Vacuum Transfer Capsule for Contamination-Free Cryogenic Samples

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Solution Overview

Problem

Samples prepared for electron microscope imaging are contaminated during transfer between charged particle systems due to exposure to atmosphere and cryogenic liquids, leading to artifacts and unsuitable analysis results.

Innovation Solution

A sample transfer capsule that maintains samples at vacuum pressure and cryogenic temperatures without direct exposure to cryogenic liquids, using a compartment with a cryogen reservoir in thermal communication to actively cool the samples and a valve system for sealing during transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If samples are transferred between charged particle systems using conventional methods, then transfer speed and simplicity are improved, but sample contamination occurs due to exposure to atmosphere and cryogenic liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidsample contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A transfer capsule serves as an intermediary device between charged particle systems. The capsule maintains vacuum pressure during sample transfer, preventing atmospheric contamination. It includes a compartment for storing samples at vacuum pressure and a cryogen reservoir for thermal communication to maintain cryogenic temperatures without direct liquid exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer capsule creates an inert vacuum environment for sample transfer. The compartment is sealed at vacuum pressure, and the valve system maintains this vacuum barrier between the sample compartment and the external atmosphere during loading and unloading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Temperature

If samples are directly exposed to cryogenic liquid for cooling during transfer, then cooling efficiency is improved, but sample contamination and phase changes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidsample contamination and phase changes

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compartment wall acts as a thermal intermediary between the cryogen reservoir and the samples. Thermal energy is transferred through the wall material, providing passive cooling without direct contact between the cryogenic liquid and samples, thus preventing contamination and unwanted phase changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces direct mechanical contact cooling (submerging samples in liquid) with thermal conduction cooling through the compartment wall. This substitution maintains cooling functionality while eliminating the harmful effects of direct liquid exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a valve system is added to seal the compartment during transport, then sample protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample protectionVSAvoidvalve system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve system acts as a controlled intermediary mechanism at the interface between the vacuum compartment and the external environment. It provides reliable sealing during transport while maintaining a relatively simple structure by focusing the sealing function at specific access points rather than requiring complete system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures contamination-free transfer of samples between charged particle systems, preventing phase changes and artifacts, and maintaining sample integrity for accurate analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a reservoir configured to store cryogenic liquid, wherein the reservoir is in thermal communication with the compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a valve configured to seal the compartment at vacuum pressure during transport of the multiple samples between charged particle systems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum pressure maintenance: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS12020895B2Systems and apparatuses for contamination-free vacuum transfer of samples

Publication Date: 2024.06.25 FEI CO

AI summary

Various approaches are provided for contamination-free vacuum transfer of samples. As one example, an apparatus includes a compartment configured to store multiple samples held by a cartridge removably coupled to the compartment, a sample port for transferring the cartridge between a charged particle system and a position within the compartment, and a valve configured to seal the compartment at vacuum pressure during transport of the multiple samples between charged particle systems. In this way, samples such as lamellae may be transferred between charged particle systems while maintaining the samples at vacuum pressure, thereby reducing the possibility of sample contamination during sample transfer.