The imaging station (EH1) is equipped with a robotic sample changer that is swapping the samples between the measurement position and an intermediate storage inside the vacuum chamber. For this reason, it is necessary that all sample holders used in the imaging station (EH1) are standardized.

Nanomax Img Pin Tray In Chamber With Gripper

OMNY pins:

Users are required to mount their samples on OMNY pins. The NanoMAX team can provide pointy pins for the use with samples intended for tomographic measurements, as well as flat framed holders for 2D imaging applications. Currently the pins can be offered either made from Aluminum, made from Copper and coated with Gold or made from PEEK. Which pin material is the best for your experiment depends on the nature of your sample, the way you intend to prepare the sample and which measurement method you intend to use. Please reach out to the beamline staff prior to submitting a proposal to discuss the details. The top of the pins can be modified to match the specific needs of individual samples. There are three different shapes/sizes of OMNY pin sample holders for the NanoMAX Imaging station (EH1):

Illustration showing sampleholders for theNanoMAX imaging endstation

Left: sample pins compatible usable at the NanoMAX imaging station (EH1).

Sample preparation and mounting is essential for a successful beamtime. Discuss the details early with the beamline staff / your local contact.

pointyflat 4×4 mmflat 5×5 mm
copper coated with goldexistsexists
pure aluminiumexistsexists
PEEKexists

Warning: Do not try to manufacture the pins yourself from the images above. The bottom is not cylindrical, but ever so slightly conical. Getting the cone angle just right is essential for the pin sitting stable in the respective mounts. A mismatched pin would not sit tight, which would affect the stability and thus the achievable resolution. Moreover it might damage the precisely shaped mount. When provided with pins by the beamline staff for mounting your samples on them take great care not to damage (scratch, squeeze, deform in any way) the bottom end of the pins (below the groove).

Mounting options

Nanomax Some Omny Pin Mounting Options

The pins allow for various ways of mounting samples to them. In the image above some options, but not all options, are shown. From left to right:

  • direct mounting of a flat sample to a frame-type OMNY pin using nail polish
  • a thin needle shaped sample holder fixed to a modified OMNY pin using glue
  • a silicon nitrate membrane with nano particles fixed to a frame-type OMNY pin using nail polish
  • a pointy-type OMNY pin with a tiny FIB milled cylindrical sample at the very tip
  • a copper TEM grid fixed to a frame-type OMNY pin with the top half snapped off

More options are possible. The scientific question, the nature of the sample and the measurement method will dictate which sample preparation and mounting method will have to be used. Please reach out to the beamline staff prior to submitting a proposal to discuss the options.

Handling at the beamline

At the beamline the pins will be loaded in a copper carriage that can hold up to 20 pins (see picture below). This carriage is what can be put inside the microscope chamber via a load-lock system. Inside the chamber it acts as the intermediate storage position from where a robot arm can grip single pins and move them into the actual measurement position.

Nanomax Img Loading Tray With Pins

Special holders that simplify the handling of the small pins for sample mounting or checking samples using optical microscopes (see picture below). These holders also work for the SEM at the NanoMAX beamline.

Nanomax Img Holder With Pin Under Microscope

Storage

For storage and transportation of the pins we use storage tubes intended for SEM stubs. While the tubes receptacle is slightly smaller in diameter than the pins, the plastic is soft enough to push in the pins and hold them tight. Gripping the pins with tweezers at the groove allows to pull the pins from the storage tubes.

Nanomax Img Pins In Storage Tubes