US3962057A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of imparting contrast to a microscope object
Assignee: Ernst Leitz Wetzlar GmbH
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Filing: 1974-06-07
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Granted: 1976-06-08
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Expires: 1994-06-07
Abstract
Abstract The method of imparting contrast to the surface of an object to be viewed microscopically comprises the steps of introducing the object into a vacuum chamber, connecting the object to the positive pole of a high voltage d.c. source, evacuating the chamber, bombarding the surface of the object with a gas-concentrated electron-ion beam, and feeding into the chamber a gas which reacts chemically with the bombarded object surface. Under the effect of the electron beam and negative or neutralized ions a reaction layer then forms which is characteristic of the component parts of the object material. This layer, after the conclusion of the contrasting process can be observed and evaluated under a microscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Gunter Bartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H37/00; H01H37/02; H01H37/32; H01H37/34; H01J; H01J2237/00; H01J2237/30; H01J2237/31; H01J2237/3151
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of imparting contrast to a surface portion of an object to be investigated microscopically, comprising the steps of: a. introducing the object into a non-grounded vacuum chamber; b. connecting the object to the positive pole of a regulatable high voltage direct current source; c. evacuating the chamber to a partial vacuum; d. bombarding a surface portion of the object with a combined electron-ion gun of the gas discharging type mounted in the wall of the vacuum chamber opposite the object, said combined electron-ion gun having a cathode connected to a negative pole of the direct current source; e. regulating the gas source connected to the ion gun of the combined electron-ion gun for bombarding the surface portion of the object with a gas concentrated electron-ion beam; f. adjusting the gas concentrated electron-ion beam to impinge on the object which is electrically conducting; and g. feeding into the vacuum chamber gas which reacts chemically with the bombarded surface portion of the object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of imparting contrast to a surface portion of an object to be investigated microscopically, comprising the steps of: a. introducing the object into a non-grounded vacuum chamber; b. connecting the object to the positive pole of a regulatable high voltage direct current source; c. evacuating the chamber to a partial vacuum; d. bombarding a surface portion of the object with a combined electron-ion gun of the gas discharging type mounted in the wall of the vacuum chamber opposite the object, said combined electron-ion gun having a cathode connected to a negative pole of the direct current source; e. regulating the gas source connected to the ion gun of the combined electron-ion gun for bombarding the surface portion of the object with a gas concentrated electron-ion beam; f. adjusting the gas concentrated electron-ion beam to impinge on the object which is electrically conducting; and g. feeding into the vacuum chamber gas which reacts chemically with the bombarded surface portion of the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein different gases are fed into the chamber one after the other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mixture of different gases is fed into the chamber during the bombardment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the object is bombarded simultaneously by beams derived from a plurality of electron-ion-beam sources.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein during the bombardment the object is displaced relative to the or each bombarding beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-08 | 1979-12-08 | 1980-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-08 | 1983-12-08 | 1984-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-08 | 1987-12-08 | 1988-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |