US3646841A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus using ultrasharp diamond edge for ultrathin sectioning
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-02
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1989-06-02
Abstract
Abstract Ultrasharp diamond edge is used for molecular and submolecular sectioning at ultralow temperature and as a high-intensity point source for the emission of electrons, ions and neutrons.
Inventors
- 👤 Humberto Fernandez- Villalobos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N1/00; G01N1/02; G01N1/04; G01N1/06; H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/26; H01J37/285; G01N1/28; G01N1/42; G01N2001/068; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/283; Y10T83/293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for ultrathin sectioning of a specimen comprising an airtight enclosure, means for maintaining an ultrahigh vacuum in said enclosure, an antivibration base in said enclosure, a high-precision rotor, precision bearing means mounting said rotor on said base for rotation, a motor for rotating said rotor, a first holder on said rotor, a second holder mounted on said base for movement toward and away from said rotor and also axially of said rotor, a diamond knife having a cutting-edge sharpness radius of 0.001 to 0.01 micron, means mounting said diamond knife on one said holder and means for mounting a specimen on the other said holder in position to be cut by said knife on each rotation of said rotor, means incorporated in the mounting of one of said holders for moving the specimen toward the knife by minute increments between successive cuts to cut successive ultraThin slices of the specimen as the rotor rotates, and means for cooling the interior of said enclosure, said rotor and said holders to cryogenic temperatures while said enclosure is maintained under said high vacuum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
Apparatus for ultrathin sectioning of a specimen comprising an airtight enclosure, means for maintaining an ultrahigh vacuum in said enclosure, an antivibration base in said enclosure, a high-precision rotor, precision bearing means mounting said rotor on said base for rotation, a motor for rotating said rotor, a first holder on said rotor, a second holder mounted on said base for movement toward and away from said rotor and also axially of said rotor, a diamond knife having a cutting-edge sharpness radius of 0.001 to 0.01 micron, means mounting said diamond knife on one said holder and means for mounting a specimen on the other said holder in position to be cut by said knife on each rotation of said rotor, means incorporated in the mounting of one of said holders for moving the specimen toward the knife by minute increments between successive cuts to cut successive ultraThin slices of the specimen as the rotor rotates, and means for cooling the interior of said enclosure, said rotor and said holders to cryogenic temperatures while said enclosure is maintained under said high vacuum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said cooling means includes a cooling strip in heat-conduction relationship with said second holder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said bearing means comprises high-precision bearings, and in which said cooling means comprises cooling strips in heat-conduction relationship with said bearings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said motor for rotating said rotor comprises a cryogenic magnetic motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said means for moving said specimen toward the knife comprises a member of magnetostrictive material which deforms physically in response to a magnetic effect.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said cooling means comprises means for cooling said enclosure, said rotor and said holders to a temperature lower than 5* K.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said bearing means mounting said rotor for rotation comprise diamond point bearings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said means for maintaining an ultrahigh vacuum in said enclosure comprises an ion pump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising radiation shields to protect the interior of said enclosure from external radiated heat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said means for cooling the interior of said enclosure to cryogenic temperature comprises dilution-type refrigeration means using helium 4 and helium 3 isotopes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |