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AssigneeWaterloo Scientific Inc.
InventorsJames A. Smith, Miroslav J. Stehlik, Matthew R. Atkinson, John H. Cole, Arthur E. Dixon, James H. Fierling, John Hennessy, Christopher J. L. Moore
Estimating the term…
A motion system or goniometer for moving a sample supported by the system has a triangular plate supported at each apex by actuators that can extend or retract axially independently from one another. The actuators are mounted on x-y translation stages and a .theta. rotation stage. The movement of the actuators, translation stages and rotation stage is controlled by a computer. When it is desired to create a rocking curve at a particular position on the sample, the translation stages and rotation stage can remain stationary while moving only the plate and actuators. The goniometer is much more efficient and less expensive than previous devices which require movement of the entire goniometer when creating a rocking curve.
An X-ray apparatus comprising an X-ray source for generating an X-ray diffraction beam and a motion system for moving a sample supported by said system, said system comprising a surface for supporting said sample, a radiation source producing a beam of radiation, x-y translation stages and a rotation stage, said stages being located beneath said surface, said surface being pivotally supported by three legs that are spaced apart from one another, with means for moving said legs relative to one another thereby moving said surface, said means for moving being mounted on one of said x-y translation stages and said rotation stage, said rotation stage being capable of rotating about a .theta. axis of rotation, said x-y translation stages being mounted to move said surface in an x-y direction relative to said .theta. axis, with control means to orient said surface using said means for moving and said stages to maintain a point on said sample at which measurements are taken at an intercept of the X-ray beam with said sample when said sample is contacted by said beam, with eucentric motion occurring about said point by moving only said surface and at least one of said legs.
A method of using a motion system as a goniometer where said motion system has a plate that supports a sample and is pivotally supported by three legs that are spaced apart from one another, with means for moving said legs relative to one another, said means for moving being supported by x-y translation stages and by a rotation stage, said legs, translation stages and rotation stage being controlled by a computer, said method comprising manipulating said means for moving and said stages to properly position a point in said sample where measurements are to take place, and subsequently rocking said sample in a eucentric motion about said point by moving only said plate and said means for moving said plate.
A method of using a motion system as a goniometer where said motion system has a plate that supports a sample and is pivotally mounted on three actuators, that are spaced apart from one another and are independently axially extendable and retractable, said actuators being supported by x-y translation stages and by rotation stage, said actuators, translation stages and rotation stage being controlled by a computer, said method comprising placing a sample supported by a holder onto said plate, activating the rotation stage, translation stages and actuators to correctly position said sample relative to an X-ray beam from a diffractometer, rocking and tilting said sample by moving only the plate and actuators while taking appropriate measurements to establish a rocking curve for that position, moving the translation stages and rotation stage as required to a second position and rocking and tilting the sample by moving only the plate and actuators while taking appropriate measurements to establish a rocking curve for said second position, repeating this procedure for other positions on said sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.