Vacuum transfer assembly

A method of vacuum transfer, comprising:

• providing vacuum transfer assembly for use in a microscope, the microscope comprising a port mounted in an outer wall thereof, the port adapted to receive and mount a sample holder stage of the vacuum transfer assembly, the vacuum transfer assembly comprising:
• a sample holder, comprising:
• an outer tube having an outer diameter that is uniform over a major part of a longitudinal axis of the tube;
• at least three seals provided on the outer tube, wherein each seal has the same diameter spaced apart from one and another, which seals are adapted to act as vacuum seals at various locations;
• and
• a sample stage located at a tip of the sample holder;
• a vacuum housing with at least one vacuum housing valve, and a connector with a flange adapted to be connected to the sample holder stage, wherein the sample holder and vacuum housing are adapted to provide sliding of the sample holder into and out of the vacuum housing;
• the sample holder stage for removably attaching to the microscope comprising:
• a receiving section for receiving the sample holder and incorporated in the receiving section at least two cooperating valves, adapted to restrict a common space between the valves;
• a stage for moving the sample holder wherein the stage is void of an α-tilter;
• and
• a flange, wherein the flange is adapted to receive the flange of the vacuum housing, and wherein the combined flanges comprise at least one seal;
• and
• a sample holder coupling unit for coupling the sample holder into the sample holder stage, and comprising:
• a bellow provided in the vacuum housing;
• and
• at least one of a fixator for fixating an aligner of the vacuum housing to a microscope column;
• and
• a fixator in the sample holder stage that is coupled to its counterpart of the sample holder to fixate the position of the sample holder in the sample holder stage,
• wherein the outer diameter of the outer tube of the sample holder is adapted to fit into an inner diameter of the receiving section of the sample holder stage and of the vacuum housing;
• the method comprising:
• bringing a sample under vacuum;
• introducing the sample into the sample stage;
• transferring the assembly to the microscope;
• introducing the sample holder into the microscope;
• and
• recognizing the sample holder by the sample holder coupling unit or microscope,
• wherein the at least three seals provided on the outer tube are spaced apart from one and another wherein when inserted into the sample holder stage a first seal is provided preventing gas flow into the microscope, and the second and third seal are adjacent to either side of a second of the two sample holder stage cooperating valves.