Film transfer mechanism for electron microscopes

Claim 2

In an electron microscope having a microscope chamber with a source of electrons positioned therein for directing electrons along a path through the chamber, and means for positioning an object in the electron beam so that at least some of the electrons pass through the object, the improvement of a film mechanism for positioning an electron stimulated means relative to the electron beam, comprising: a. a first storage means for unused electron stimulated means; b. a second storage means for used electron stimulated means; c. a wall between said first and second storage means and the electron beam path; d. a passage extending through said wall; e. closure means positioned across said passage; f. coiled extensible feeding means for feeding an unused electron stimulated means from said first storage means through said passage to an operative position within the microscope chamber, and for withdrawing said electron stimulated means through said passage and into said second storage means after said electron stimulated means has been exposed; and, g. drive means for reeling said coiled extensible feeding means into and out of its coiled configuration so as to extend said feeding means into and withdraw said feeding means from the microscope chamber.

Claim 3

The electron microscope of claim 1 wherein said coiled feeding means comprises a metallic tape rolled around a drum for storage and support, and said drive means is operable to reel said tape onto and off of said drum.

Claim 4

The electron microscope of claim 2 wherein said drive means comprises roller means drivingly engaging said tape, and motor means connected to said roller means for rotating said roller means in one direction to extend said tape into the microscope chamber, and for rotating said roller means in the opposite direction to withdraw said tape from the microscope chamber.

Claim 5

The electron microscope of claim 3 wherein said tape comprises a steel tape which is curved laterally to enhance its rigidity.

Claim 6

The electron microscope of claim 2 wherein: a. said closure means is adapted to open permitting extension of said tape through said passage and to close upon withdrawal of said tape from the microscope chamber; b. said closure means and said wall are formed of a material substantially opaque to penetrating radiation; c. said tape is adapted to disengage said electron stimulated means and withdraw through said passage once said electron stimulated means is positioned in the microscope chamber for exposure, and to re-extend through said passage and re-engage said electron stimulated means after exposure to withdraw said electron stimulated means from the microscope chamber; d. whereby said radiation opaque wall and closure means serve to shield other electron stimulated means positioned in said first and second storage means from radiation within the microscope chamber.

Claim 7

The electron microscope of claim 5 wherein said tape comprises a steel tape which is curved laterally to enhance its rigidity.

Claim 8

The electron microscope of claim 6 wherein said drive means comprises roller means drivingly engaging sAid tape, and motor means connected to said roller means for rotating said roller means in one direction to extend said tape into the microscope chamber, and for rotating said roller means in the opposite direction to withdraw said tape from the microscope chamber.

Claim 9

The electron microscope of claim 5 additionally including means for interrupting the electron beam at a time when said closure means is open, comprising: a. shutter means movable into and out of a position blocking the electron beam; b. control means operable for closing said shutter means so as to block the electron beam substantially concurrently with the opening of said closure means, and for opening said shutter means substantially concurrently with the closing of said closure means.

Claim 10

The electron microscope of claim 8 wherein said shutter means comprises a rotatably mounted shutter disc rotatable between positions in which one of a plurality of apertures in the disc are aligned with the electron beam and positions in which the disc blocks the beam.

Claim 11

In an electron microscope having a microscope chamber with a source of electrons positioned therein for directing electrons along a path through the chamber, and means for positioning an object in the electron beam so that at least some of the electrons pass through the object, the improvement of a film mechanism for positioning an electron stimulated means relative to the electron beam, comprising: a. a first storage means for unused electron stimulated means; b. a second storage means for used electron stimulated means; c. said first and second storage means comprising separate side-by-side regions of a single storage structure; d. a substantially radiation opaque wall between said storage structure and the electron beam path; e. a passage extending through said wall in communication with portions of both of said side-by-side regions; f. closure means positioned across said passage for normally closing said passage, said closure means being substantially opaque to radiation; g. feeding means comprising an actuating member for pushing an unused electron stimulated means from said first storage means through said passage to an operative position within the microscope chamber, and for withdrawing said electron stimulated means through said passage and into said second storage means after said electron stimulated means has been exposed; h. said actuating member comprising a metallic tape which is rolled around a drum for storage and support; and, i. drive means for reeling said tape onto and off of said drum so as to extend said tape into and withdraw said tape from the microscope chamber.

Claim 12

In an electron microscope having a microscope chamber with a source of electrons positioned therein for directing electrons along a path through the chamber, and means for positioning an object in the electron beam so that at least some of the electrons pass through the object, the improvement of a film mechanism for positioning an electron stimulated means relative to the electron beam, comprising: a. a first storage means for unused electron stimulated means; b. a second storage means for used electron stimulated means; c. said first and second storage means comprising separate side-by-side regions of a single storage structure; d. a substantially radiation opaque wall between said storage structure and the electron beam path; e. a passage extending through said wall in communication with portions of both of said side-by-side regions; f. closure means positioned across said passage for normally closing said passage, said closure means being substantially opaque to radiation; g. feeding means comprising an actuating member for pushing an unused electron stimulated means from said first storage means through said passage to an operative position within the microscope chamber, and for withdrawing said electron stimulated means through said passage and into said second storage means after said electron stimulated means has been exposed; h. said actuating member comprising a metallic tape which is rolled around a drum for storage and support; and, i. drive means for reeling said tape onto and off of said drum so as to extend said tape into and withdraw said tape from the microscope chamber.

Claim 13

The electron microscope of claim 10 additionally including vacuum seal means interposed between said closure means and said wall such that the vacuum evacuated environment of the microscope chamber may be preserved during the loading of unused electron stimulated means into said storage structure and the unloading of used electron stimulated means from said storage structure.

Claim 14

The electron microscope of claim 10 additionally including tray means disposed within the microscope chamber and communicating with said passage for receiving and supporting an electron stimulated means inserted through said passage, said tray means being positioned to support said electron stimulated means so that said electron stimulated means will intercept electrons passing through the object.

Claim 15

The electron microscope of claim 12 wherein said tray means is adapted to receive unused electron stimulated means inserted into the microscope chamber from said first storage means, and to guide used electron stimulated means through said passage and into said second storage means.

Claim 16

The electron microscope of claim 10 wherein said drive means comprises roller means drivingly engaging said tape, and motor means connected to said roller means for rotating said roller means in one direction to extend said tape intO the microscope chamber, and for rotating said roller means in the opposite direction to withdraw said tape from the microscope chamber.

Claim 17

The electron microscope of claim 14 wherein said tape comprises a steel tape which is curved laterally to enhance its rigidity.