U.S. patent application number 13/835005 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for environmental cell assembly for use in for use in spectroscopy and microscopy applications.
This patent application is currently assigned to BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL SERVICES Y-12, L.L.C.. The applicant listed for this patent is Russell L. Hallman, JR., Norm Smyrl, Ashley Clinton Stowe. Invention is credited to Russell L. Hallman, JR., Norm Smyrl, Ashley Clinton Stowe.
Application Number | 20140268124 13/835005 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51400006 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140268124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stowe; Ashley Clinton ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
ENVIRONMENTAL CELL ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN FOR USE IN SPECTROSCOPY AND
MICROSCOPY APPLICATIONS
Abstract
An environmental cell assembly for use in microscopy and
spectroscopy applications, including: an environmentally sealed
body assembly configured to selectively hold and contain a sample;
a plurality of ports manufactured into one or more surfaces of the
body assembly for one or more of evacuating the body assembly and
injecting a gas into or removing a gas from the body assembly; a
port manufactured into a surface of the body assembly for receiving
a translating stage configured to move the sample within the body
assembly; and a port manufactured into a surface of the body
assembly for receiving one or more lenses utilized in a microscopy
or spectroscopy application; wherein the one or more lenses are
disposed adjacent the sample without intervening structures
disposed there between. The cell assembly also includes a port
manufactured into a surface of the body assembly for retaining a
window and providing visualization of the sample.
Inventors: |
Stowe; Ashley Clinton;
(Knoxville, TN) ; Smyrl; Norm; (Knoxville, TN)
; Hallman, JR.; Russell L.; (Knoxville, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stowe; Ashley Clinton
Smyrl; Norm
Hallman, JR.; Russell L. |
Knoxville
Knoxville
Knoxville |
TN
TN
TN |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BABCOCK & WILCOX TECHNICAL
SERVICES Y-12, L.L.C.
Oak Ridge
TN
|
Family ID: |
51400006 |
Appl. No.: |
13/835005 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
356/244 ;
359/391 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 2021/651 20130101;
G02B 21/26 20130101; G01N 21/01 20130101; B01L 1/025 20130101; G02B
21/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
356/244 ;
359/391 |
International
Class: |
G02B 21/26 20060101
G02B021/26; G01N 21/01 20060101 G01N021/01 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] The U.S. Government has rights to the present disclosure
pursuant to Contract No. AC05-00OR22800 between the U.S. Department
of Energy and Babcock and Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC.
Claims
1. An environmental cell assembly for use in microscopy and
spectroscopy applications, comprising: an environmentally sealed
body assembly configured to selectively hold a sample; a plurality
of ports manufactured into one or more surfaces of the
environmentally sealed body assembly for one or more of evacuating
the environmentally sealed body assembly and injecting a gas into
or removing a gas from the environmentally sealed body assembly; a
port manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving a translating stage configured to move the
sample within the environmentally sealed body assembly; and a port
manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving one or more lenses utilized in a microscopy
or spectroscopy application; wherein the one or more lenses are
disposed adjacent the sample without intervening structures
disposed there between.
2. The environmental cell assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
port manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for retaining a window and providing visualization of the
sample.
3. The environmental cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the
environmentally sealed body assembly comprises a plurality of sides
that are one or more of fixedly attached to one another and
integrally formed with one another.
4. The environmental cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the
translating stage is operable for moving the sample vertically
within the environmentally sealed body assembly.
5. The environmental cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the
translating stage is operable for moving the sample horizontally
within the environmentally sealed body assembly.
6. The environmental cell assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
heating device disposed within or adjacent and in thermal
communication with the environmentally sealed body assembly for
selectively heating the sample.
7. The environmental cell assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
sample holding device selectively disposed within the
environmentally sealed body assembly.
8. A method for providing an environmental cell assembly for use in
microscopy and spectroscopy applications, comprising: providing an
environmentally sealed body assembly configured to selectively hold
a sample; providing a plurality of ports manufactured into one or
more surfaces of the environmentally sealed body assembly for one
or more of evacuating the environmentally sealed body assembly and
injecting a gas into or removing a gas from the environmentally
sealed body assembly; providing a port manufactured into a surface
of the environmentally sealed body assembly for receiving a
translating stage configured to move the sample within the
environmentally sealed body assembly; and providing a port
manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving one or more lenses utilized in a microscopy
or spectroscopy application; wherein the one or more lenses are
disposed adjacent the sample without intervening structures
disposed there between.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a port
manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for retaining a window and providing visualization of the
sample.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the environmentally sealed body
assembly comprises a plurality of sides that are one or more of
fixedly attached to one another and integrally formed with one
another.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the translating stage is
operable for moving the sample vertically within the
environmentally sealed body assembly.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the translating stage is
operable for moving the sample horizontally within the
environmentally sealed body assembly.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a heating
device disposed within or adjacent and in thermal communication
with the environmentally sealed body assembly for selectively
heating the sample.
14. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a sample
holding device selectively disposed within the environmentally
sealed body assembly.
15. An environmental cell assembly for use in microscopy and
spectroscopy applications, comprising: an environmentally sealed
body assembly configured to selectively hold a sample; a plurality
of ports manufactured into one or more surfaces of the
environmentally sealed body assembly for one or more of evacuating
the environmentally sealed body assembly and injecting a gas into
or removing a gas from the environmentally sealed body assembly; a
port manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving a translating stage configured to move the
sample within the environmentally sealed body assembly; and a port
manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving an objective utilized in a microscopy or
spectroscopy application, wherein at least a portion of the
objective protrudes into the environmentally sealed body assembly;
wherein the one or more lenses are disposed adjacent the sample
without intervening structures disposed there between.
16. The environmental cell assembly of claim 15, further comprising
a port manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed
body assembly for retaining a window and providing visualization of
the sample.
17. The environmental cell assembly of claim 15, wherein the
environmentally sealed body assembly comprises a plurality of sides
that are one or more of fixedly attached to one another and
integrally formed with one another.
18. The environmental cell assembly of claim 15, further comprising
a heating device disposed within or adjacent and in thermal
communication with the environmentally sealed body assembly for
selectively heating the sample.
19. The environmental cell assembly of claim 15, further comprising
a sample holding device selectively disposed within the
environmentally sealed body assembly.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the microscopy
and spectroscopy fields. More specifically, the present disclosure
relates to an environmental cell assembly for use in microscopy and
spectroscopy applications, especially those involving samples that
are very air sensitive, reactive, and/or that possess very weak
Raman signatures.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Some samples, such as metal hydrides, for example, are very
air sensitive and possess very weak Raman signatures. As such
microscopy and spectroscopy methods that utilize a conventional
window material (e.g. glass, quartz, or the like) between the
sample and the objective lens(es) can attenuate the Raman signal(s)
by a factor of up to ten. Such conventional window materials are
typically necessary such that the environmental cell assembly
utilized can be evacuated and/or purged, and, optionally, a
reactive gas can be introduced in a controlled manner. In other
words, the sample must be protected from the outside environment.
This is problematic.
[0004] Thus, what is needed in the art is an environmental cell
assembly that does not incorporate a conventional window material
between the sample and the objective lens(es) of a microscope or
spectroscopic assembly, such that the Raman signal(s) are not
significantly attenuated. This environmental cell assembly should
allow for the vertical, and potentially the horizontal and
rotational, adjustment of the position of the sample within the
environmental cell assembly, as well as the ready evacuation of the
environmental cell assembly, the introduction of a purge (i.e.
inert) gas, the introduction of a reactive gas, etc. In other
words, the environmental cell assembly should provide the sample
with isolation from the outside environment while microscope and/or
spectroscopic methodologies are employed. By meeting all of these
criteria, even very weak Raman signals can be detected and utilized
in further analyses.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure
provides such an environmental cell assembly that does not
incorporate a conventional window material between the sample and
the objective lens(es) of a microscope or spectroscopic assembly,
such that the Raman signal(s) are not significantly attenuated.
This environmental cell assembly allows for the vertical, and
optionally the horizontal and rotational, adjustment of the
position of the sample within the environmental cell assembly, as
well as the ready evacuation of the environmental cell assembly,
the introduction of a purge (i.e. inert) gas, the introduction of a
reactive gas, etc. In other words, the environmental cell assembly
provides the sample with isolation from the outside environment
while microscope and/or spectroscopic methodologies are employed.
By meeting all of these criteria, even very weak Raman signals can
be detected and utilized in further analyses. The objective
lens(es) of the environmental cell assembly of the present
disclosure can be coupled to any conventional microscopes and/or
optical or laser spectroscopy equipment.
[0006] In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides
an environmental cell assembly for use in microscopy and
spectroscopy applications, including: an environmentally sealed
body assembly configured to selectively hold and contain a sample;
a plurality of ports manufactured into one or more surfaces of the
environmentally sealed body assembly for one or more of evacuating
the environmentally sealed body assembly and injecting a gas into
or removing a gas from the environmentally sealed body assembly; a
port manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving a translating stage configured to move the
sample within the environmentally sealed body assembly; and a port
manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving one or more lenses utilized in a microscopy
or spectroscopy application; wherein the one or more lenses are
disposed adjacent the sample without intervening structures
disposed there between. The environmental cell assembly also
includes a port manufactured into a surface of the environmentally
sealed body assembly for retaining a window and providing
visualization of the sample. Optionally, the environmentally sealed
body assembly includes a plurality of sides that are one or more of
fixedly attached to one another and integrally formed with one
another. The translating stage is operable for moving the sample
vertically within the environmentally sealed body assembly.
Optionally, the translating stage is also operable for moving the
sample horizontally within the environmentally sealed body
assembly. Optionally, the environmental cell assembly further
includes a heating device disposed within or adjacent and in
thermal communication with or through the environmentally sealed
body assembly for selectively heating the sample. Optionally, the
environmental cell assembly still further includes a sample holding
device selectively disposed within the environmentally sealed body
assembly.
[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention
provides a method for providing an environmental cell assembly for
use in microscopy and spectroscopy applications, including:
providing an environmentally sealed body assembly configured to
selectively hold and contain a sample; providing a plurality of
ports manufactured into one or more surfaces of the environmentally
sealed body assembly for one or more of evacuating the
environmentally sealed body assembly and injecting a gas into or
removing a gas from the environmentally sealed body assembly;
providing a port manufactured into a surface of the environmentally
sealed body assembly for receiving a translating stage configured
to move the sample within the environmentally sealed body assembly;
and providing a port manufactured into a surface of the
environmentally sealed body assembly for receiving one or more
lenses utilized in a microscopy or spectroscopy application;
wherein the one or more lenses are disposed adjacent the sample
without intervening structures disposed there between. The method
also includes providing a port manufactured into a surface of the
environmentally sealed body assembly for retaining a window and
providing visualization of the sample. Optionally, the
environmentally sealed body assembly includes a plurality of sides
that are one or more of fixedly attached to one another and
integrally formed with one another. The translating stage is
operable for moving the sample vertically within the
environmentally sealed body assembly. Optionally, the translating
stage is operable for moving the sample horizontally within the
environmentally sealed body assembly. Optionally, the method
further includes providing a heating device disposed within or
adjacent and in thermal communication with or through the
environmentally sealed body assembly for selectively heating the
sample. Optionally, the method still further includes providing a
sample holding device selectively disposed within the
environmentally sealed body assembly.
[0008] In a further exemplary embodiment, the present invention
provides an environmental cell assembly for use in microscopy and
spectroscopy applications, including: an environmentally sealed
body assembly configured to selectively hold and contain a sample;
a plurality of ports manufactured into one or more surfaces of the
environmentally sealed body assembly for one or more of evacuating
the environmentally sealed body assembly and injecting a gas into
or removing a gas from the environmentally sealed body assembly; a
port manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving a translating stage configured to move the
sample within the environmentally sealed body assembly; and a port
manufactured into a surface of the environmentally sealed body
assembly for receiving an objective utilized in a microscopy or
spectroscopy application, wherein at least a portion of the
objective protrudes into the environmentally sealed body assembly;
wherein the one or more lenses are disposed adjacent the sample
without intervening structures disposed there between. The
environmental cell assembly also includes a port manufactured into
a surface of the environmentally sealed body assembly for retaining
a window and providing visualization of the sample. Optionally, the
environmentally sealed body assembly includes a plurality of sides
that are one or more of fixedly attached to one another and
integrally formed with one another. Optionally, the environmental
cell assembly further includes a heating device disposed within or
adjacent and in thermal communication with or through the
environmentally sealed body assembly for selectively heating the
sample. Optionally, the environmental cell assembly still further
includes a sample holding device selectively disposed within the
environmentally sealed body assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein
with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference
numbers are used to denote like assembly components/method steps,
as appropriate, and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a planar side view of one exemplary embodiment of
the environmental cell assembly of the present disclosure in an
assembled state;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded planar side view of one exemplary
embodiment of the environmental cell assembly of the present
disclosure in a partially unassembled state;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a series of planar views of one exemplary
embodiment of a sample holding device that is selectively disposed
within the environmental cell assembly of the present disclosure;
and
[0013] FIG. 4 is a series of planar views of one exemplary
embodiment of a placement and removal tool for placing and removing
the sample holding device of FIG. 3 within and from the
environmental cell assembly of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one exemplary
embodiment, the environmental cell assembly 10 of the present
disclosure takes the form of an environmentally-sealed cube or
other shape (when assembled). Thus, the environmental cell assembly
10 includes an environmentally-sealed body assembly 12, having six
sides in the embodiment illustrated, but which can also have a
smaller or larger number of sides, including partially or wholly
convex or concave sides. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated,
the environmentally-sealed body assembly 12 includes a top side 14,
a bottom side 16, a left side 18, a right side 20, a front side 22,
and a back side (not illustrated). These sides can be bolted
together and/or otherwise securely joined to form a unitary body.
Any number of fluidly-transmissive ports, mechanically-transmissive
ports, and/or visual-transmissive ports can be manufactured through
the sides of the environmentally-sealed body assembly 12.
[0015] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, these ports include
two ports 24 manufactured through the left side 18 and the right
side 20 of the body assembly 12 for the evacuation of the body
assembly 12, and/or the introduction of purge and/or reactive
gasses. These ports 24 are coupled to appropriate conduits, valve
assemblies, control systems, and pumps, not especially relevant to
the present disclosure. Appropriate connections, welds, and/or
seals are utilized to ensure environmental isolation. The ports
also include one port 26 manufactured through the top side 14 of
the body assembly 12 through which an environmentally-sealed
objective 28 is sealingly disposed, such that the objective 28 is
in direct optical or radiative communication with the sample (not
illustrated) disposed within the body assembly 12. Again,
appropriate connections, welds, and/or seals are utilized to ensure
environmental isolation. The ports further include one port 30
manufactured through the bottom side 16 of the body assembly 12
through which a translating stage 32 is sealingly disposed, such
that the translating stage 32 is in direct mechanical communication
with the sample disposed within the body assembly 12. Again,
appropriate connections, welds, and/or seals are utilized to ensure
environmental isolation. Finally, the ports include one port 34
manufactured through the front side 22 and/or back side of the body
assembly 12 in which a visualization window 36 is sealingly
disposed, such that visualization of the sample disposed within the
body assembly 12 is possible. Again, appropriate connections,
welds, and/or seals are utilized to ensure environmental
isolation.
[0016] The objective 28 includes any conventional objective
suitable for microscope and/or spectroscopic applications, provided
that the objective 28 is in direct optical or radiative
communication with the sample, with only intervening atmosphere
there between within the interior of the body assembly 12.
[0017] The translating stage 32 can be any conventional translating
stage that is capable of moving the sample vertically and/or
horizontally within the interior of the body assembly 12. Any
suitable sample holding devices can be coupled to or disposed on a
portion of the translating stage 32, thereby holding the sample
securely in place within the body assembly 12.
[0018] The visualization window 36 can be partially or wholly
comprised of any visual-transmissive material (e.g. glass, quartz,
or the like), such that the sample can be visualized there
through.
[0019] All of the metallic components of the body assembly, etc.,
can be made of stainless steel, Aluminum, and/or the like. Seals
can be made of Indium, Copper, Aluminum, and/or the like. It should
be noted that the use of Aluminum has the advantage of eliminating
Hydrogen outgassing in those applications that are Hydrogen
sensitive. In general, the choice of appropriate materials will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, based on their
heat-transmissive or insulative properties, as required in the
given instance.
[0020] In another exemplary embodiment, a plate heater or the like
(not illustrated) can be disposed between the translating stage 32
and the sample. Other means for heating the sample can also be
utilized, with a heater thermally coupled to various components of
the body assembly 12, given the specific application.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows one exemplary embodiment of a sample holding
device 50 that is selectively disposed within the body assembly 12
(FIGS. 1 and 2) of the environmental cell assembly 10 (FIGS. 1 and
2) of the present disclosure. The sample holding device 50 is
selectively disposed on the translating stage 32 (FIGS. 1 and 2),
for example. In this exemplary embodiment, the sample holding
device 50 includes a widened base portion 52, providing stability,
a narrowed neck portion 54, configured to selectively receive a
placement and removal tool 60 (FIG. 4), and a sample holding
portion 56 including a concave recess 58 or the like, configured to
selectively receive and retain the sample. Exemplary dimensions are
provided in FIG. 3, but should not be construed to be limiting.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows one exemplary embodiment of the placement and
removal tool 60 for placing and removing the sample holding device
50 (FIG. 3) within and from the body assembly 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of
the environmental cell assembly 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the present
disclosure. In this exemplary embodiment, the placement and removal
tool 60 includes an elongate portion 62 that can be grasped by a
user and a recessed end portion 64 configured to engage the
narrowed neck portion 54 (FIG. 3) of the sample holding device 50.
Exemplary dimensions are provided in FIG. 4, but should not be
construed to be limiting.
Specific Implementation
[0023] The environmental cell assembly 10 is constructed in the
form of a cube with six ports. A modified microscope objective 28
is an integral part of the environmental cell assembly 10 and is
placed in one port 26 and is sealed with double O-rings around the
outside diameter of the objective 28. Any standard microscope
objective (e.g. 0.85 in. diameter) of varying magnification can be
utilized with the environmental cell assembly 10. The environmental
cell assembly 10 is of such a size that it can be mounted in the
objective turret by rotation with the objective 28, as would
conventionally be done. The environmental cell assembly 10
possesses two viewing windows 36 mounted on two of the side ports
34, which can be assembled and disassembled from the environmental
cell assembly 10 using standard conflat metal seals in order to
load samples in a dry box environment. Two valves welded to conflat
metal sealing plates are mounted on the other two side ports 24 for
evacuation and/or purging with inert atmospheres. The bottom port
30 contains the sample holder mounted to a screw mechanism
identical to that utilized on a 1.33'' mini-conflat commercial
valve assembly, for example, that allows movement up and down from
the outside the environmental cell assembly 10 for focusing a laser
excitation source on the sample and the subsequent acquisition of a
Raman spectrum once the environmental cell assembly 10 is
mounted.
[0024] Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and
described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and
specific examples thereof, it will be appreciated by those of
ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may
perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such
equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope
of the present disclosure, are contemplated thereby, and are
intended to be covered by the following claims, which should be
given the benefit of all reasonable equivalents.
* * * * *