SEM Sample Holders

Samples for the Scanning Electron Microscope are most commonly affixed to a Sample Stub. These Sample Holders feature a standard, usually manufacturer specific, mounting mechanims to affix them to the stage of the Microscope. The sample side, can take on a number of shapes. The most basic being a flat surface onto which either double sided tape or some form of Glue is applied to hold the sample in mechanical contact with the sample holder.

Sample holders are most commonly made of Aluminium, but special sample holders for X-Ray spectroscopy are avalible which are made from Graphite and other materials.

Stub Interfaces

1/8" 3.2mm Pin

This mounting interface is now the defacto standard. It consists of a simple pin with a diameter of 1/8 inch (3.2mm) which is champhered at its end. These pins are then placed into a coresponding hole on the stage, and either held there by means of a spring loaded ball and or screws.

This mounting style also typically includes a groove around the plate of the stub, which allows easy manipulation with special tweezers.

15 mm Cylinder

This mounting interface, consists of a full cylinder of 15mm diameter and a length of 10 to 15mm.

M5x0.5

This unusual mount has been encountered at the museum but it is not known which manufacturer used it. Our best guess at the moment is that it was used by Hitachi in the 80's.

These stubs take the form of a 25mm long rod, of which 20mm are cut to M5x0.5 threads, the bottom 5mm being 4mm in diameter and smooth. The plates on the ones found at the museum are 1/2" in diameter.

Cambridge Style

These holders are shaped like dishes and connect to the microscope by means of a locking mechanism similar to that of Zeiss and Leitz Microscope accesory mounts.