for safe transfer between SEM and glove boxes

Brief Description 

The "Transfer Module" is a special device for use with an SEM. It is made for the purpose of carrying delicate and sensitive specimens in a capsule from the SEM into a glove box or vice versa, so that these specimens will be protected from air or moisture at all times. This device will mount on the specimen stage just like a microscope sample. It takes just a few moments to install it in the SEM, or in the glove box.

The shipment volume contains the module, a vacuum tight flange, cable bundles, and two battery buffered controller for the opening/closing process. One controller stays at the SEM and other one inside the glove box.

The stage door of the SEM must be opened to mount it on the specimen holder seat, just like exchanging an ordinary SEM specimen. A cable bundle leads from the module to the vacuum flange at the door surface or at the side wall of the specimen chamber. The whole assembly will not exceed 40 mm height.

A small platform is mounted inside a "capsule"-like structure, equipped with a lid. This lid can be opened and closed by a small DC motor at air or in vacuum. Specimens for this module may be as tall as 6 mm, and we recommend to provide small "Cambridge" specimen stubs. Eight of them will fit inside the module. Alternatively, two larger disk (25mm dia) may be used to mount the specimens there.

Other specimen holder from ion milling systems like Hitachi IM4000 or Cryo systems from Leica etc. can be ordered seperately and incorporated into the vessel.

When closed, a fine polished O-ring seat will hermetically seal the inside of the capsule.

The capsule may be prepared with all specimens under the protective gas atmosphere of a glove box. To run the opening/closing in the glove box also, a second (battery buffered) controller is part of the shipment. It will be transfered into the blove box trough the air lock. Therefore modifications to the glove glove box are not necessary.

Heating / Cooling (Option)

An optional heating or heating / cooling platform can be integrated either right away, or at some later time as a retrofit. (return to factory for modification) Once the module is enhanced with a heater, the max number of specimen is limited to one. (10x10mm²). With or without heater, this module can be tilted a certain amount (depends upon type of SEM – usually around 30°).

The Transfer Module

Attaching the Module to the SEM Stage

The Transfer module is mounted like a large specimen on the SEM stage. Together with the stage, the whole module will move in the specimen chamber. Most SEM are suitable for the transfer module.

Dimensions approx. 120 mm x 80 mm x 40 mm. Depending on the various methods of specimen clamping are available.

Related Products

Heating Modules with temperature range: RT to 300°, 500°, 800°, 1050° C, depending upon the required version.
Peltier module with temperature range: -20 to +50°, -50° to +100°, depending upon the required version.

Summary of Technical Specification

Subject to change without notice.