Abstract: A plasma system for changing a microscopy material sample comprises a microscopy material sample holder for holding a microscopy material sample in place in a desired orientation, and a receptacle holder for receiving the sample holder and an RF antenna. The microscopy sample is positioned relative to the antenna so that no point on the antenna is in direct line-of-sight contact with the microscopy sample. This feature of avoiding direct line-of-sight contact between the antenna and the sample assists in preventing, or at least minimizing, ion sputtering of system component material onto the specimen or sample 10 that is being trimmed. Moreover, portions of the system which are in direct line-of-sight contact with the sample are comprised of material having a low sputtering yield, preferably carbon. The material may comprise graphite, and may be in the form of a carbon coating or a carbon paint.

Abstract: A two-part container for preserving material samples during storage and transport is separable and can be sealed with the presence of an elastomeric O-ring and internal threads on each part of the container. In the configuration at which the threads first engage between the two halves of the container, there is a small hole in the outer top part just above the O-ring of the bottom mating part. When the two container parts are mated and the sealing O-ring is below the small hole, inert gas can be made to flow through an inlet valve, into the container, and out through the small hole. In this configuration, the inert gas flows through the container and purges the atmospheric gas, replacing it with inert gas. After a period of time, the two container parts are rotated so that the sealing O-ring moves above the small hole. This will stop the flow into and out of the container. After this, the gas inlet valve is closed to seal the inert gas in the container.

Abstract: A plasma system for changing a microscopy material sample comprises a microscopy material sample holder for holding a microscopy material sample in place in a desired orientation, and a receptacle holder for receiving the sample holder and an RF antenna. The microscopy sample is positioned relative to the antenna so that no point on the antenna is in direct line-of-sight contact with the microscopy sample. This feature of avoiding direct line-of-sight contact between the antenna and the sample assists in preventing, or at least minimizing, ion sputtering of system component material onto the specimen or sample 10 that is being trimmed. Moreover, portions of the system which are in direct line-of-sight contact with the sample are comprised of material having a low sputtering yield, preferably carbon. The material may comprise graphite, and may be in the form of a carbon coating or a carbon paint.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a microscopy sample for storage, observation, manipulation, characterization and/or study of the sample using a microscopy instrument is provided. The assembly includes mating first and second parts having faces between which a microscopy sample, including a TEM grid mounted sample, is secured. A spring is used to provide compression between the faces. A rotatable member such as a threaded screw is operable to draw the parts apart from one another. An annular wall functions to protect microscopy samples held in the assembly from damage.

Abstract: A two-part container for preserving material samples during storage and transport is separable and can be sealed with the presence of an elastomeric O-ring and internal threads on each part of the container. In the configuration at which the threads first engage between the two halves of the container, there is a small hole in the outer top part just above the O-ring of the bottom mating part. When the two container parts are mated and the sealing O-ring is below the small hole, inert gas can be made to flow through an inlet valve, into the container, and out through the small hole. In this configuration, the inert gas flows through the container and purges the atmospheric gas, replacing it with inert gas. After a period of time, the two container parts are rotated so that the sealing O-ring moves above the small hole. This will stop the flow into and out of the container. After this, the gas inlet valve is closed to seal the inert gas in the container.