JP6073568B2 - Sample holder tip, and sample holder having the sample holder tip - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample holder tip and a sample holder having the sample holder tip, and more particularly to a sample holder tip having a specific sample pressing means and a sample holder having the sample holder tip.

  When observing a sample in a microscope such as a transmission electron microscope, for example, the tip of a sample holder (hereinafter also referred to as a sample cradle) inserted into a limited space between the gaps of the objective pole piece of the transmission electron microscope. )) Must be inserted into the limited space of the objective lens pole piece and tilted to the electron beam optical axis on the sample holder axis, so that the sample cradle is necessarily made as thin as possible. Yes.

  For example, as an electron microscope, a transmission electron microscope will be described as an example. A sample to be observed with a transmission electron microscope is mounted on a sample cradle portion and observed. In order to mount and fix the TEM sample mesh on the sample cradle, the sample cradle needs at least a cradle pedestal and a sample pressing member. Furthermore, the sample presser requires some fixing means for sandwiching the sample mesh in the cradle body, and therefore means for arranging fixing screws is generally used.

  In order to effectively use the limited space of the objective lens pole piece, the thickness of the sample pressing plate and the size of the sample fixing screw must be reduced. However, there are limits to downsizing for human use. Furthermore, there is a limit to downsizing due to the durability of the screw itself. Currently, M1-M2 size screws are generally used.

  Under such circumstances, as a method for exchanging a sample, for example, a sample exchange device including a sample chamber, a sample exchange chamber, a gate valve, and a sample exchange rod is known (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-273571

  However, in the existing sample exchange devices including the sample exchange device as in Patent Document 1, in the case of fixing to a screw hole provided in the cradle body, a sample mesh is placed, a spacer ring is placed thereon, and further With the sample holding plate placed on top, keeping the three members sewn together, pinching the screws with tweezers, keeping them precisely aligned with the axial positions of the screw holes in the cradle body, It is necessary to be skilled to accurately place and tighten a precision screwdriver (hereinafter also referred to as TOOL) in the slit groove on the head of the head.

  In such cases, the sample attachment work is done by contacting the sample as a result of a screwdriver or tweezers accidentally slipping as a result of the screw that is pinched by both skilled and tweezers coming off and losing. In many cases, the sample is destroyed.

  Note that the sample cradle part at the tip of the sample is generally only about 2 mm thick, and when tightening a screw, an expert knows the minimum amount of force to press the TOOL for tightening the screw. If this is done, the TOOL (driver) will be pushed unnecessarily, and as a result, many accidents will occur in which the sample cradle will be bent. Therefore, it is desired to simplify the sample mounting means with a compact design.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has an object to provide a sample holder tip that can be compactly designed and can be easily loaded with a sample, and a sample holder having the sample holder tip. And

  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventor has analyzed the accident related to the sample exchange of the sample holder, and as a result of intensive studies, has found the present invention.

That is, the sample holder tip of the present invention comprises a sample holder comprising a sample mounting base, a sample mesh for placing a sample, a sample pressing part for pressing the sample mesh, and a clamp part for clamping the sample pressing part. It is a front-end | tip part, Comprising: The said sample holding | suppressing part is an abacus ball-shaped ring shape, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the side surface of the sample pressing part has a taper or a convex part.

  Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of the tip end portion of the sample holder according to the present invention, the clamp portion is clamped by using a taper or a convex portion of a side surface portion of the sample pressing portion.

  In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the clamp part is made of an elastic member.

  In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the clamp part is a spring pin.

  In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the sample pressing part has a detaching means for detaching the sample pressing part from the sample holder tip.

  In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the detaching means is a groove arranged on the inner diameter side of the ring-shaped member.

Moreover, desorption tool of the present invention, corresponding to the desorption unit of the sample holder tip of the present invention, there is provided a detachable tool for detaching the sample holding portion, the grooves which are arranged on the inner diameter side of the ring-shaped member It has a ring-shaped collet that can be hooked, and a rod that can be inserted into the cylinder of the collet .

  The kit of the present invention is characterized by comprising the sample holder tip of the present invention and the detaching tool of the present invention.

  The sample holder of the present invention is characterized by comprising the sample holder tip of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, there is an advantageous effect that it is possible to reduce damage to a sample holder or the like during sample replacement as much as possible.

Fig.1 (a) is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the sample at the time of using the sample holder front-end | tip part in one embodiment of this invention is attached. FIG. 1 (b) shows a cross-sectional view after completion of sample attachment when the sample holder tip is used in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sample holder tip in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a conventional standard cradle. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a cradle in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cradle using a conventional sample pressing plate and fixing screws.

  The tip of the sample holder of the present invention comprises a sample setting base, a sample mesh for placing a sample, a sample pressing part for pressing the sample mesh, and a clamp part for clamping the sample pressing part. The sample installation pedestal is a pedestal on which a sample is placed. Usually, a sample mesh is placed on the sample mounting base, and the sample is placed on the sample mesh. The sample mesh is usually fixed when used in a microscope. Conventionally, the sample mesh is generally fixed to the sample mounting base with screws or the like through the sample pressing plate. In this invention, it consists of the sample pressing part which presses a sample mesh, and the clamp part which clamps the said sample pressing part. At least a part of the sample pressing part and at least a part of the clamp part have fixing means that can fix the sample pressing part and the clamp part to each other.

  In a preferred embodiment, the sample pressing portion has a ring shape. If it is a theoretical shape without considering the cost, it can be applied to a deformed ring such as a C-shaped ring, a star-shaped ring, and a thread-wound ring. In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the side surface of the sample pressing part has a taper or a convex part. By using the tapered surface, a groove can be provided on the clamp portion side so that the sample pressing portion can be fixed. As an example in which the side surface of the sample pressing portion is tapered, in a preferred embodiment, the sample pressing portion has an abacus-shaped ring shape. Having a tapered surface in this way has an advantage that it can be easily attached to and detached from the clamp portion.

  Moreover, it can also design so that a sample pressing part can be fixed by providing a recessed part in the clamp part side using a convex part. According to such a design, the sample pressing portion can be fixed to the sample holder without a member such as a screw.

  In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the clamp part is made of an elastic member. By using the clamp portion as an elastic member, there is an advantage that the sample pressing portion can be easily removed and detached. The mechanism by which clamping is possible is not particularly limited. For example, a structure in which at least a part or all of the sample pressing part and at least a part or all of the clamping part are engaged with each other, or a hooking structure is used. Thus, the sample pressing part can be fixed. The structure that engages or catches can be performed on the contact surface between the sample pressing part and the clamp part. For example, if the sample pressing part has a ring shape, the ring-shaped outer peripheral surface and the clamp part What is necessary is just to be able to fix by the structure which meshes between, or the structure caught.

  In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the clamp part is a spring pin. In a preferred embodiment, when the clamp part is a spring pin, if the sample pressing part is a ring shape having a taper, the taper can be used to make the sample pressing part and the clamp part easier to attach and detach. Become. That is, by disposing a rod-shaped spring pin on the cradle, using the spring pin, a chevron-shaped protrusion provided on the outer periphery of the ring is accommodated and can be clamped. When the abacus protrusion is an abacus bead protrusion when the abacus bead-shaped ring shape is used, the abacus protrusion can be hooked and fixed to the spring pin.

  In the following examples, two spring pins are used to hold two points of the sample pressing ring. However, the shape is not particularly limited as long as the sample pressing ring can be held at one point, two points, three points, or more. . In other words, the inner diameter side expands once from the outer shape of the sample pressing ring, can be expanded to the inner diameter that the sample pressing ring can pass through, and has a deformed ring shape that is plastically (spring-like) and contracts to the inner diameter in the free state. If there is, it is feasible.

  In a preferred embodiment of the sample holder tip of the present invention, the sample pressing part has a detaching means for detaching the sample pressing part from the sample holder tip. This is for facilitating the attachment / detachment of the sample pressing portion. The desorption means is not particularly limited as long as it does not interfere with observation with a microscope. As a preferred aspect, the desorption means is a groove disposed on the inner diameter side of the ring-shaped member. A jig can be hooked into the groove to make it easier to attach to or remove from the cradle.

  The detaching tool of the present invention is a detaching tool for detaching the sample pressing portion corresponding to the detaching means of the sample holder tip portion of the present invention. That is, for example, when the desorption means is a groove, a desorption tool having a dedicated collet that is caught in the groove can be exemplified. When the sample pressing portion has a ring shape, it can be a removal tool having a ring-shaped collet that can be hooked in the groove on the inner side of the sample pressing portion cylinder.

  The kit of the present invention is characterized by comprising the sample holder tip of the present invention and the detaching tool of the present invention. Examples of the sample holder tip of the present invention include those described above. Moreover, what was mentioned above can also be mentioned as a removal tool of this invention.

  The sample holder of the present invention is characterized by comprising the sample holder tip of the present invention. As for the tip of the sample holder, those described above can be exemplified.

  Here, although one Example of the sample holder front-end | tip part of this invention is described, this invention is limited to the following Example and is not interpreted. Moreover, it cannot be overemphasized that it can change suitably, without deviating from the summary of this invention.

  With reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the tip of the sample holder of the present invention will be described as follows.

  Fig.1 (a) is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the sample at the time of using the sample holder front-end | tip part in one embodiment of this invention is attached. FIG. 1 (b) shows a cross-sectional view after completion of sample attachment when the sample holder tip is used in one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a detaching tool, and in this example, a sample pressing ring mounting jig. The state of the collet holding the sample pressing ring is shown. Reference numeral 2 denotes a sample pressing portion, which is a sample pressing ring in this example. 3 is a sample mesh, 4 is a sample holder shaft portion, 5 is a detaching means (a groove in this case) for detaching the sample pressing portion, 6 is a sample mounting base (cradle body), 7 is a link for giving a cradle inclination, 8 Denotes a cradle support pivot pin, and 9 denotes a sample holder tip (pivot support frame portion). Reference numeral 10 denotes a detaching tool. In this example, a sample pressing ring mounting jig is shown. It shows a normal state without collet expansion. Reference numeral 11 denotes a rod of the collet opening mechanism of the sample pressing ring mounting jig.

  Conventionally, fixing the sample mesh with screws has been the mainstream, but in the example of FIG. 1, it is fixed with a ring. The collet of the sample pressing ring mounting jig extends into the groove 5 formed inside the sample pressing ring 2, and the collet portion enters the groove well to hold the ring 2. In the example of FIG. 1, the collet is expanded by pushing the rod 11 into the mounting jig 1. When the rod 11 is pulled out, the state shown in FIG.

  With the collet expanded and the ring 2 held, the sample mesh can be fixed to the tip of the sample holder with the sample mesh 3 interposed therebetween. When the ring 2 is guided to the sample mounting base 6, the collet is narrowed by pulling out the rod 11, and the fixation between the ring 2 and the mounting jig is released. The ring 2 is clamped by the clamp portion and fixed to the tip end portion of the sample holder.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sample holder tip in one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 20 is a detaching tool (sample pressing ring mounting jig), 21 is a collet part of the sample pressing ring mounting jig, 22 is a sample pressing part (sample pressing ring), 23 is a sample mesh, and 24 is a clamping part (sample pressing ring). (Clamp bar spring of ring), 25 is a sample mounting base, 26 is a pivot support frame portion, 27 is a cradle support pivot pin, 28 is a rod of a collet portion opening mechanism of a sample pressing ring attachment jig, and 29 is a force point for tilting the cradle , 30 is a link for providing a cradle inclination, 31 is a return spring plate, and 32 is a sample holder shaft.

  When the mounting jig 20 is inserted into the ring as shown in FIG. 2 and the rod 28 is pushed in, the collet portion 21 expands and fits into the groove in the ring 22, and the ring 22 and the mounting jig 20 are instantly integrated. The mounting jig 20 fixes the ring 22 to the tip of the sample holder via the sample mesh 23 in a state where the ring 22 is fixed. Thanks to the taper provided on the ring 22, it engages with the clamp portion 24, and the ring 22 is fixed to the tip of the sample holder. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the ring 22 and the clamp portion 24 are fixed at two locations, but may be fixed at one location or a plurality of locations.

  An example of the effect of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3A shows a conventional standard cradle. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a cradle in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cradle using a conventional sample pressing plate and fixing screws. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3 and 4, reference numeral 40 denotes a fixing screw for holding the sample, 41 denotes a β tilt movable range, 42 denotes a β tilt pivot position, 43 denotes an upper pole piece of the objective lens, 44 denotes a sample pressing plate, and 45 denotes a link for a tilt driving force point. , 46 denotes a sample cradle, and 47 denotes a lower pole piece of the objective lens.

  In the conventional cradle, it can be seen from the figure that the β tilt movable range is limited by the presence of the screw 40 and the like. On the other hand, the tip of the sample holder of the present invention has a more compact design in terms of thickness and width, and the β tilt movable range is greatly expanded, so that it is expected that more information can be obtained from the sample. However, the sample holder having the sample holder tip of the present invention is actually capable of obtaining more information from the sample by expanding the β tilt movable range as shown in FIG. 3B. It has been found.

  Such a tip of the sample holder of the present invention can cope with various human errors and has an advantageous effect even in combination with other devices, so that it is useful in a wide range of fields. I can expect that.

1 Desorption tool (Sample holding ring mounting jig. (Collet holding the sample holding ring))
2 Sample holder (sample holder ring)
3 Sample mesh 4 Sample holder shaft 5 Desorption means (groove) for detaching the sample holder
6 Sample mounting base (cradle body)
7 Links giving cradle tilt
8 Cradle support pivot pin 9 Sample holder tip (pivot support frame)
10 Detachment tool (Sample holding ring mounting jig. (Normal state without expansion of collet))
11. Rod 20 for collet opening mechanism of sample pressing ring mounting jig Desorption tool (sample pressing ring mounting jig)
21 Collet part of sample pressing ring mounting jig 22 Sample pressing part (sample pressing ring)
23 Sample mesh 24 Clamp part (Clamp bar spring of sample holding ring)
25 Sample installation base 26 Pivot support frame portion 27 Cradle support pivot pin 28 Rod of collet portion opening mechanism 29 of sample pressing ring attaching jig 29 Cradle tilt force point receiving portion 30 Cradle tilt link 31 Push-back spring plate 32 Sample holder shaft portion 40 Fixing screw 41 for sample holding β β movable range 42 β tilt pivot position 43 Objective pole upper pole piece 44 Sample holding plate 45 Tilt driving force point link 46 Sample cradle 47 Objective lens lower pole piece

Claims (10)

  A sample holder tip comprising a sample mounting base, a sample mesh for placing a sample, a sample pressing part for pressing the sample mesh, and a clamp part for clamping the sample pressing part, wherein the sample pressing part is The tip of the sample holder is an abacus-ring shaped ring.   The sample holder tip portion according to claim 1, wherein a taper or a convex portion is provided on a side surface of the sample pressing portion.   The sample holder tip part according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the clamp part clamps using a taper or a convex part of a side part of the sample pressing part.   The sample holder tip part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clamp part is made of an elastic member.   The sample holder tip according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clamp part is a spring pin.   The sample holder tip part according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sample pressing part has a detaching means for detaching the sample pressing part from the sample holder tip part.   The sample holder tip portion according to claim 6, wherein the detaching means is a groove disposed on an inner diameter side of the ring-shaped member. A detachable tool for detaching the sample pressing portion corresponding to the detaching means for the sample holder tip portion according to claim 7 , wherein the detachable tool can be hooked in a groove arranged on the inner diameter side of the ring-shaped member. And a rod that can be inserted into the cylinder of the collet .   The kit which consists of a sample holder front-end | tip part of any one of Claims 1-7, and the removal | desorption tool of Claim 8. The sample holder which consists of a sample holder front-end | tip part of any one of Claims 1-7.

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