EP0302716A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
X-ray detectors
Assignee: Link Analytical Ltd
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Filing: 1988-08-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A technique for conditioning X-ray detectors which are introduced into electron microscopes and maintained at an operaing temperature substantially below ambient is disclosed. Localised heating is applied to the detector by, for example, electrical resistance heating, whereby the detector is conditioned for about an hour without the heat sink being removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Barrie Glyn Lowe
- 👤 Stuart Graham James Tyrrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:01
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D19/00; F25D19/006; G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/24; G01T1/244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A detector system comprising a cold finger having a first end coupled to a heat sink at a temperature substantially below ambient temperature, an X-ray detector mounted at an opposite end of the cold finger wherein heat is transferred along the cold finger to maintain the temperature of the detector substantially below ambient temperature during normal operation, an envelope surrounding the cold finger wherein a vacuum is maintained between the cold finger and said envelope; characterised by conditioning means for locally increasing the temperature of the detector for a predetermined interval while maintaining the heat sink substantially at the operating temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A detector system comprising a cold finger having a first end coupled to a heat sink at a temperature substantially below ambient temperature, an X-ray detector mounted at an opposite end of the cold finger wherein heat is transferred along the cold finger to maintain the temperature of the detector substantially below ambient temperature during normal operation, an envelope surrounding the cold finger wherein a vacuum is maintained between the cold finger and said envelope; characterised by conditioning means for locally increasing the temperature of the detector for a predetermined interval while maintaining the heat sink substantially at the operating temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A detector system according to claim 1 characterised in that heat is applied to the detector by means of an electrical resistance heater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A detector system according to claim 2 characterised in that electrical current passing through said resistance heater is controlled by a temperature sensitive device to prevent the temperature of the detector exceeding a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A detector system according to claim 1 characterised in that the heat sink comprises a vessel containing liquid nitrogen surrounded by an evacuated flask.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detector system according to claim 1 characterised in that a molecular sieve for absorbing water molecules is positioned between the vessel and the flask.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of conditioning an X-ray detector wherein said detector is mounted on the end of a probe for introduction into an electron microscope and is maintained at an operating temperature substantially below ambient temperature during normal operation, characterised by the steps of removing an operating bias voltage from the detector, increasing the temperature of the detector by localised heating to a predetermined conditioning value, holding the detector at the conditioning temperature for a predetermined interval, removing the localised heat and re-establishing the operating bias voltage when the detector has been cooled to its operating temperature.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of conditioning an X-ray detector wherein said detector is mounted on the end of a probe for introduction into an electron microscope and is maintained at an operating temperature substantially below ambient temperature during normal operation, characterised by the steps of removing an operating bias voltage from the detector, increasing the temperature of the detector by localised heating to a predetermined conditioning value, holding the detector at the conditioning temperature for a predetermined interval, removing the localised heat and re-establishing the operating bias voltage when the detector has been cooled to its operating temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 6 characterised by applying current to a resistor to effect localised heating of the detector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3864570A
Cited
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