Abstract: Provided is a novel beam delivery system comprising an optical beam spatial period converter. The converter comprises a substrate comprising two or more flexures coupled in series; a plurality of first spacing reflective elements and a plurality of second spacing reflective elements disposed on surface of the substrate. Each first spacing reflective element is configured to receive a respective incoming beam of an incoming array of beams and redirect the respective incoming beam to provide an intermediate beam to a respective second spacing reflective element. Each second spacing reflective element is configured to receive a respective intermediate beam and redirect the respective intermediate beam to provide a respective outgoing beam. The respective outgoing beam is one of plurality of outgoing beams that form an outgoing array of beams. The outgoing array of beams and the incoming array of beams have a different spatial frequencies.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments and components are provided that can include: first and second conduits both configured to receive fluid from a cryofluid source and provide same to an analysis component; and a housing about the conduits wherein the housing is configured to maintain a vacuum about the conduits. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include dynamically providing fluid from a cryofluid source through at least one of two conduits housed within a vacuum, to an analysis component.

Abstract: A nanopositioner 10 including a base 12 including a base plate 18 carrying a set of base bearings 22, a carrier 14 movably carried with respect to the base 12 and including a carrier plate 56 carrying a set of carrier bearings 58 operatively coupled to the set of base bearings 22. The nanopositioner 10 may include a variable area capacitive position sensor, and/or an actuator 16 operatively coupling the carrier 14 to the base 12 and including an armature 100 fixed with respect to the carrier 14 and a stator 98 removably coupled to the base 12 to facilitate removal and replacement of at least a portion of the stator 98. Also disclosed are a method of producing a nanopositioner, and a piezoelectric actuator 16 that may be used with a nanopositioner.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical assemblies are provided and/or methods for changing temperatures of a mass are provided. Low thermal conductance components and/or assemblies are also provided. Methods for thermally isolating a mass from a support structure are also provided.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments and components are provided that can include: first and second conduits both configured to receive fluid from a cryofluid source and provide same to an analysis component; and a housing about the conduits wherein the housing is configured to maintain a vacuum about the conduits. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include dynamically providing fluid from a cryofluid source through at least one of two conduits housed within a vacuum, to an analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical assemblies are provided and/or methods for changing temperatures of a mass are provided. Low thermal conductance components and/or assemblies are also provided. Methods for thermally isolating a mass from a support structure are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a novel beam delivery system comprising an optical beam spatial period converter. The converter comprises a substrate comprising two or more flexures coupled in series; a plurality of first spacing reflective elements and a plurality of second spacing reflective elements disposed on surface of the substrate. Each first spacing reflective element is configured to receive a respective incoming beam of an incoming array of beams and redirect the respective incoming beam to provide an intermediate beam to a respective second spacing reflective element. Each second spacing reflective element is configured to receive a respective intermediate beam and redirect the respective intermediate beam to provide a respective outgoing beam. The respective outgoing beam is one of plurality of outgoing beams that form an outgoing array of beams. The outgoing array of beams and the incoming array of beams have a different spatial frequencies.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments and components are provided that can include: first and second conduits both configured to receive fluid from a cryofluid source and provide same to an analysis component; and a housing about the conduits wherein the housing is configured to maintain a vacuum about the conduits. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include dynamically providing fluid from a cryofluid source through at least one of two conduits housed within a vacuum, to an analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a mobile component comprising a cold source; a substantially fixed analysis component; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a mobile analysis component; a substantially fixed component comprising a cold source; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in thermal communication with an analysis component; and at least one pressure barrier defining a plurality of discrete masses maintained at different temperatures between the cold source and the analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical assemblies are provided and/or methods for changing temperatures of a mass are provided. Low thermal conductance components and/or assemblies are also provided. Methods for thermally isolating a mass from a support structure are also provided.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a mobile component comprising a cold source; a substantially fixed analysis component; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a mobile analysis component; a substantially fixed component comprising a cold source; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in thermal communication with an analysis component; and at least one pressure barrier defining a plurality of discrete masses maintained at different temperatures between the cold source and the analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a mobile component comprising a cold source; a substantially fixed analysis component; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a mobile analysis component; a substantially fixed component comprising a cold source; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instrument heat exchanger components are provided that can include a conduit in thermal communication with at least one thermally discrete mass, the discrete mass being configured as a cold source to be coupled to a member to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy. Variable temperature analytical instrument components are also provided that can include: a first mass to be maintained at a first temperature; a first conduit in fluid communication with the first mass; and a second mass thermally connected to the first conduit, the second mass having a different temperature than the first mass. Methods for varying the temperature within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include thermally coupling at least a portion of an exhaust fluid conduit with a first mass and using the first mass as a cold source.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instrument components are provided that can include: a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a sample chamber configured to be operably coupled to a heat or cold source via one or more conduits; an interface component configured to engage the one or more conduits with the sample chamber, the interface comprising a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Methods for maintaining temperatures within a variable temperature analytical instrument are also provided.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: at least one heat or cold source configured to generate a temperature; and discrete instrument portions individually thermally coupled to the at least one source. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include providing a plurality of thermal coupling between a plurality of discrete heat or cold sources to a plurality of discrete portions of the instrument.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments and components are provided that can include: first and second conduits both configured to receive fluid from a cryofluid source and provide same to an analysis component; and a housing about the conduits wherein the housing is configured to maintain a vacuum about the conduits. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include dynamically providing fluid from a cryofluid source through at least one of two conduits housed within a vacuum, to an analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: at least one heat or cold source configured to generate a temperature; and discrete instrument portions individually thermally coupled to the at least one source. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include providing a plurality of thermal coupling between a plurality of discrete heat or cold sources to a plurality of discrete portions of the instrument.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instrument heat exchanger components are provided that can include a conduit in thermal communication with at least one thermally discrete mass, the discrete mass being configured as a cold source to be coupled to a member to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy. Variable temperature analytical instrument components are also provided that can include: a first mass to be maintained at a first temperature; a first conduit in fluid communication with the first mass; and a second mass thermally connected to the first conduit, the second mass having a different temperature than the first mass. Methods for varying the temperature within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include thermally coupling at least a portion of an exhaust fluid conduit with a first mass and using the first mass as a cold source.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a mobile component comprising a cold source; a substantially fixed analysis component; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a mobile analysis component; a substantially fixed component comprising a cold source; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in thermal communication with an analysis component; and at least one pressure barrier defining a plurality of discrete masses maintained at different temperatures between the cold source and the analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instrument components are provided that can include: a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a sample chamber configured to be operably coupled to a heat or cold source via one or more conduits; an interface component configured to engage the one or more conduits with the sample chamber, the interface comprising a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Methods for maintaining temperatures within a variable temperature analytical instrument are also provided.