Abstract: This invention is based, at least in part, on use of a tissue collector that reduces or eliminates manual steps in collecting and transferring tissue sections from a microtome to a slide. This invention relates to apparatus and methods for automated tissue sectioning, including slicing and transferring a tissue section from a microtome. The invention also relates to automated systems and methods for slicing and transferring a tissue section onto a slide.

Abstract: A method of examining a sample using a charged-particle microscope, comprising mounting the sample on a sample holder; using a particle-optical column to direct at least one beam of particulate radiation onto a surface S of the sample, thereby producing an interaction that causes emitted radiation to emanate from the sample; using a detector arrangement to detect at least a portion of said emitted radiation, the method of which comprises embodying the detector arrangement to detect electrons in the emitted radiation; recording an output On of said detector arrangement as a function of kinetic energy En of said electrons, thus compiling a measurement set M={(On, En)} for a plurality of values of En; using computer processing apparatus to automatically deconvolve the measurement set M and spatially resolve it into a result set R={(Vk, Lk)}, in which a spatial variable V demonstrates a value Vk at an associated discrete depth level Lk referenced to the surface S, whereby n and k are members of an integer sequenc