System and methods are described for directly measuring mechanical properties of a sample while concurrently imaging the sample using a scanning beam microscope (e.g., a scanning electron microscope (SEM)).

A sample holder (19) includes a base portion (41), a sample carrying portion (42), a rotation guide portion (43), a cooling stage (46), a connection member (47), a first support portion, and a fixing guide portion (48). The base portion (41) is configured to be fixed to a stage (12), which is configured to be driven to rotate by a stage driving mechanism (13). The rotation guide portion (43) is configured to guide synchronous rotation of the base portion (41) and the sample carrying portion (42). The cooling stage (46) is configured to cool a sample (S). The connection member (47) is configured to be connected to the cooling stage (46). The first support portion is configured to support the base portion (41), which is configured to be driven to rotate by the stage (12).

A method of operating a particle beam device for imaging, analyzing and/or processing an object may be carried out, for example, by a particle beam device. The method may include: identifying at least one region of interest on the object; defining: (i) an analyzing sequence for analyzing the object, (ii) a processing sequence for processing the object by deformation and (iii) an adapting sequence for adapting the at least one region of interest depending on the processing sequence and/or on the analyzing sequence; processing the object by deformation according to the processing sequence and/or analyzing the object according to the analyzing sequence; adapting the at least one region of interest according to the adapting sequence; and after or while adapting the at least one region of interest, imaging and/or analyzing the at least one region of interest using a primary particle beam being generated by a particle beam generator.

The device for observing permeation and diffusion path of observation target gas includes: a scanning electron microscope 15; an observation target ion detecting unit 20; an observation target gas supply unit 19; a diaphragm-type sample holder 12, to which the sample is mounted in attachable/detachable state, as a diaphragm dividing between the analysis chamber 11 and the observation target gas pipe 14; and a control unit 50. The control unit acquires a SEM image and at the same time detects the observation target gas, which diffuses within the sample and is discharged to the surface of the sample, by electron stimulated desorption, in a state where stress is applied to the sample due to differential pressure generated between the analysis chamber and the observation target gas pipe by supplying the observation target gas, and obtains an ESD image of the observation target ions.

System and methods are described for directly measuring mechanical properties of a sample while concurrently imaging the sample using a scanning beam microscope (e.g., a scanning electron microscope (SEM)). The system includes a clamping mount configured to hold the sample and a load cell positioned proximal to the clamping mount and configured to provide a direct, real-time measurement of force on the sample end. The system further includes a controllable probe configured to apply a force to the sample. In some embodiments, the sample load cell is tiltably couplable to a sample held by the clamping mount and the controllable probe is moveable between a plurality of different mounting positions relative to the load cell.

An analysis system, an analysis method and a sample holder make it possible to analyse a battery via a particle beam system, for example to record images of the battery via the particle beam system, while the battery is arranged in a vacuum chamber of the particle beam system and is manipulated according to a multiplicity of different parameter value sets in the vacuum chamber. By way of example, the battery is kept at a predefined temperature, a predefined pressure is exerted on the battery, and the battery is electrically charged and discharged according to a loading scheme and at the same time images of the battery are recorded via the particle beam system.

A multiple degree of freedom sample stage or testing assembly including a multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes a plurality of stages including linear, and one or more of rotation or tilt stages configured to position a sample in a plurality of orientations for access or observation by multiple instruments in a clustered volume that confines movement of the multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more clamping assemblies to statically hold the sample in place throughout observation and with the application of force to the sample, for instance by a mechanical testing instrument. Further, the multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more cross roller bearing assemblies that substantially eliminate mechanical tolerance between elements of one or more stages in directions orthogonal to a moving axis of the respective stages.

A double-tilt in-situ mechanical sample holder for TEM based on piezoelectric ceramic drive belongs to the field of material microstructure-mechanical properties in-situ characterization, and it comprise two parts of sample holder shaft body and piezoelectric ceramic drive system. The sample holder shaft body comprise tilt stage, sample holder, linear stepping motor, drive rod, drive linkage. The piezoelectric ceramic drive system comprise piezoelectric ceramic loading stage, piezoelectric ceramic, connecting base and the sample loading stage realizing stretch or compression function. The double-axis tilt of the samples in X and Y axis directions is realized by the reciprocating motion back and forth of the drive rod driven by the linear stepping motor. The stretch or compression of the samples is realized by applying voltage on the piezoelectric ceramic to generate displacement and push the sample loading stage by the connecting base. The invention coordinating with high resolution TEM realizes the observation of the microstructure in atomic and even sub angstrom scales, and at the same time it ensures the controllable deformation of nanomaterials, further realizes the integrative research on the material microstructure-mechanical properties and reveals the deformation mechanism of the materials.

A multiple degree of freedom sample stage or testing assembly including a multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes a plurality of stages including linear, and one or more of rotation or tilt stages configured to position a sample in a plurality of orientations for access or observation by multiple instruments in a clustered volume that confines movement of the multiple degree of freedom sample stage. The multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more clamping assemblies to statically hold the sample in place throughout observation and with the application of force to the sample, for instance by a mechanical testing instrument. Further, the multiple degree of freedom sample stage includes one or more cross roller bearing assemblies that substantially eliminate mechanical tolerance between elements of one or more stages in directions orthogonal to a moving axis of the respective stages.

Light which is radiant energy is emitted from a sample which is heated, and is detected by a backscattered electron detector. A detection signal from the backscattered electron detector includes a radiant component. A radiant component removal section extracts the radiant component from the detection signal using a filter, and then removes the radiant component from the detection signal. An optical detector which detects the radiant component may be provided. A divided detector may be provided as the backscattered electron detector.