GB1301008A - Improvements in or relating to specimen stages for electron microscopes - Google Patents

Abstract

1301008 Electron Microscopes ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES Ltd 4 Aug 1971 [4 Aug 1970] 37641/70 Heading H1D A specimen stage for an electron microscope scanned or non-scanned, comprises first and second gimbals 54, 56, a specimen mounting 64 carried by the second gimbal so as to be tiltable about two mutually inclined intersecting axes with respect to a support, a mechanism for translating the second gimbal relative to the first in a first direction without shifting the gimbal axes relative to the support, and a mechanism for translating the specimen mounting relative to the second gimbal in a direction inclined to the first direction. The construction enables the specimen to be translationally moved without affecting the alignment with the optical axis. The gimbals are not necessarily ring shaped, e.g. the first gimbal may be tubular and the support is preferably movable in a plane transverse to the optical axis, such as in Fig. 2 (not shown) wherein blocks (38), (40) on plane surface (42) may be moved in orthogonal directions by screws (46), (49) in co-operation with return springs (not indicated). Block (40) has raised portion (50) receiving the tubular specimen cartridge (54) inserted via an airlock in housing (10), (Fig. 1, not shown). The cartridge may be rotated about its axis (Y-tilt) by gears meshing with a ring gear on portion (55), (not indicated). Within the cartridge, annular member 56 pivoted by journals 58, 60 supported in recesses (62), (Fig. 3, not shown), to be X-tilt rotatable by rack 72 on operating rod 70 engaging pushrod (73), (Fig. 3) with enlarged portion 77. Journals 58, 60, can slide axially in their bearings to allow translational movement of member 56 (X<SP>1</SP> movement), imparted by bellcrank lever 76 activated by rod 82 connected to sliding ring 83 (Fig. 3). Mounting 64 Y<SP>1</SP> movement is imparted by bellcrank lever 84, push rod 86, and bell crank lever 88, rod 106 being connected to sliding ring 107 both sliding rings being moved by fork levers to external controls. Ball 102 slides within slot 104 to accommodate X<SP>1</SP> movement.