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US 12,646,681 B2Granted
Clamping mechanism
AssigneeFEI Company
InventorsNick Verwimp, Nick Van Gestel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a sample holder tip for use in a charged particle microscope, such as a transmission electron microscope; a sample holder comprising said sample holder tip and methods of using said sample holder tip and sample holder.
Claims16
A sample holder tip for use in a charged particle microscope, wherein the sample holder tip comprises:
- an elongated member having a proximal and a distal end, wherein a sample receiving zone for releasably receiving a sample is provided near the distal end of the elongated member;
- and
- a clamping mechanism for fixing the sample in said sample receiving zone of said elongated member, wherein the clamping mechanism is moveably connected to the elongated member and comprises at least a first clamping arm with a distal and proximal end, wherein the first clamping arm is movable between a closed and open position, wherein in the open position said sample can be placed in ore removed from said sample receiving zone, and when in said closed position said sample can be locked in said sample receiving zone;
- characterised in that the first clamping arm is moveably connected to the elongated member at the proximal end of the elongated member;
- wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises a second clamping arm moveably connected at the proximal end of the elongated member;
- and
- wherein the second clamping arm is positioned within the first clamping arm and provides a clamping force against the perimeter of the sample when in a closed position that is separate to the first clamping arm.
4 more elements
A sample holder tip for use in a charged particle microscope, wherein the sample holder tip comprises:
- an elongated member having a proximal and a distal end, wherein a sample receiving zone for releasably receiving a sample is provided near the distal end of the elongated member;
- and
- a clamping mechanism for fixing the sample in said sample receiving zone of said elongated member, wherein the clamping mechanism is moveably connected to the elongated member and comprises at least a first clamping arm with a distal and proximal end, wherein the first clamping arm is movable between a closed and open position, wherein in the open position said sample can be placed in ore removed from said sample receiving zone, and when in said closed position said sample can be locked in said sample receiving zone;
- characterised in that the first clamping arm is moveably connected to the elongated member at the proximal end of the elongated member;
- wherein the first clamping arm or the first and second clamping arms are pivotable between said open and said closed position;
- and
- wherein a pivot of the second clamping arm is located in the middle of the first clamping arm.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.