Sample holding device for studying light-driven reactions and sample analysis method using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016189918-A1
Application number	US-201414583442-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 26, 2014
Priority date	Dec 26, 2014
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sample holding device for studying light-driven reactions and a sample analysis method using the same are disclosed. The sample holding device comprises a main body, a supporting structure and a light source assembly. The main body has a channel which has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and a focusing lens which is located on the second end. The supporting structure is located on one end of the main body for sample supporting. The light source assembly is detachably disposed on the other end opposite to the end which is disposed with the supporting structure. The light source assembly emits a light beam into the first end of the channel. The light beam then irradiates the sample which locates on the supporting structure after passing through the focusing lens.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A sample holding device for studying light-driven reactions, comprising:
a main body, formed with a channel having a first end and a second end that are disposed opposite to each other, while the main body enables a focusing lens to be located on the second end; a supporting structure, located on one end of the main body for sample supporting; and a light source assembly, detachably disposed on the other end opposite to the end where the supporting structure is located, for allowing to emit a light beam into the channel via the first end; after passing through the focusing lens, the light beam then irradiate a sample located on the supporting structure.

2 . The sample holding device of claim 1 , wherein the light source assembly comprises:
a collimating lens; a light source, for projecting a light beam toward the collimating lens; a control unit, coupled to the light source; and a shell, for housing the collimating lens, the light source, and the control unit.

3 . The sample holding device of claim 2 , wherein the control unit further comprises a driving circuit and a power source; the shell is formed with a back panel, and the back panel further comprises:
at least one indication light, each coupled to the control unit; and a switch, coupled to the driving circuit and the power source.

4 . The sample holding device of claim 3 , wherein the power source is substantially a rechargeable battery; when a rechargeable battery is used as the power source, the back panel is formed with a charge socket that is coupled to the rechargeable battery. The charge socket can be electrically connected to an external power source for recharging the rechargeable battery.

5 . The sample holding device of claim 3 , wherein the power source is substantially a disposable battery.

6 . The sample holding device of claim 3 , wherein the driving circuit includes at least one wireless communication unit, and each of the at least one wireless communication unit can be based on a communication interface selected from the group consisting of: a Bluetooth interface, a ZigBee interface, a WiFi interface, and an infrared interface.

7 . The sample holding device of claim 1 , wherein the main body is formed with an accommodation space located at an end where the light source assembly is disposed. The accommodation space allows the light source assembly to be mounted on and is formed in connection with the channel.

8 . The sample holding device of claim 2 , wherein the shell further has a set of magnetic bodies mounted thereon, and the main body also has another set of magnetic bodies mounted thereon. The two set of magnetic bodies are attractive to each other for strengthening the combination of the shell and the main body.

9 . The sample holding device of claim 1 , wherein the supporting structure further comprises:
a rack, mounted on the main body; a rotary shaft, mounted on the rack in a manner that the axis of the rotary shaft is positioned on the same level with the optical axis of the light beam, while the configuration allows the axis of the rotary shaft to intercept the optical axis of the light beam by an angle; and a carrier, used for carrying the sample, is coupled to the rotary shaft for allowing the carrier to be brought along to rotate with the rotary shaft.

10 . The sample holding device of claim 9 , wherein the sample is disposed on a holding part while the holding part is detachably disposed on the carrier.

11 . The sample holding device of claim 10 , wherein the holding part is formed with an analytical area in a manner that the center of the analytical area is located at about the interception of the axis of the rotary shaft and the optical axis of the light beam.

12 . A sample analysis method, comprising the steps of:
placing a holding part holding a sample to be observed on a carrier of a supporting structure belonging to a sample holding device; rotating a rotary shaft for adjusting the tilting of the carrier and the holding part; mounting the sample holding device to a transmission electron microscope, and allowing an electron beam to irradiate the sample located inside an analytical area of the holding part; driving the light source of a light source assembly mounted on the sample holding device for enabling a light beam from the light source to project directly to the analytical area after the light beam is focused by a focusing lens; and enabling an in-situ observation of a specific light-driven reaction.

Assignees

• Ind Tech Res Inst

Inventors

• Lai Ming-Wei
• Lo Shen-Chuan

Classifications

• H01J2237/20207

  Tilt · CPC title

• G01N2223/307

  cuvettes-sample holders · CPC title

• F21L4/04

  characterised by the provision of a light source housing portion adjustably fixed to the remainder of the device · CPC title

• H01J37/226

  Optical arrangements for illuminating the object; optical arrangements for collecting light from the object · CPC title

• H01R13/6205

  Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet · CPC title