Automatic sample-changing device and method for particle beam radiation samples

An automatic sample changing device for particle beam radiation samples, comprising:

• a plurality of sample tray;
• a sample tray rack for holding the plurality of sample trays;
• a carriage supporting the sample tray rack for movement between a loading position outside a radiation room to a load/unload position within the radiation room;
• a sample tray loader positioned adjacent the sample tray rack load/unload position;
• a radiation stage;
• and
• a radiation source;
• wherein the sample trays are configured to hold samples to be irradiated, and the sample tray loader is configured to remove a selected sample tray of the plurality sample trays from the sample tray rack and position the selected sample tray on the radiation stage;
• wherein the radiation stage carries the selected sample tray between the sample tray rack load/unload position and a particle beam radiation area, thereby exposing the sample to particle beam radiation and obtaining an irradiated sample, and returns the selected sample tray containing the irradiated sample to the load/unload position;
• the sample tray loader is arranged between the sample tray rack load/unload position;
• wherein a quantity of samples to be irradiated that are accommodated in an individual sample tray is 1-24;
• the sample tray rack supported by the carriage accommodate 1-10 layers of sample trays;
• movement of the carriage, sample tray loader, and radiation stage is determined according to a phase state of the sample to be irradiated, wherein a first moving speed for solid samples is 50-120 mm/s, and a second moving speed for liquid samples is 10-60 mm/s;
• a moving distance of the radiation stage in the direction of X axis is −200 mm to 500 mm and a moving distance in the direction of Y axis is −100 mm to 300 mm;
• a height adjustment range of the radiation stage in the direction of Z axis is −200 mm to 600 mm;
• and
• the radiation stage is equipped with a zero-point positioning function.