UChicago Argonne, LLC

Curt Alfred Preissner

Deming Shu

Jorg M Maser

Barry Lai

Franz Stefan Vogt

Volker Rose

Kangkang Wang

Andrzej Joachimiak

Steven P Kearney

Chris J Jacobsen

Oliver A Schmidt

Christian Roehrig

Gregory Brian Stephenson

Randy Alkire

Daniel Rosenmann

Martin V Holt

Robert P Winarski

Daniel Nocher

Yufeng Han

Sunil Jeffrey Bean

Juan Barraza, Jr

David Vine

Peter Lee

Wah-Keat Lee

Zhonghou Cai

Stephan Ginell

Robert G Schuessler

Saw-Wai Hla

A method and apparatus are provided for implementing an ultra-high stability stage with combined degrees of freedom for multiple axes of motion. The ultra-high stability stage includes a base, a driving wedge supported by the base and a following wedge supported by the driving wedge. The base and each wedge are formed of a selected stable material having predefined rigidity and low thermal expansion coefficient. Integrated air bearings, respective driving mechanics associated with each of the wedges and guiding components having selected degrees of freedom enable movement about multiple axes of motion, such as X, Y, Z translation axes, and rotation X and rotation Y axes. Another ultra-high stability stage with combined degrees of freedom for multiple axes of motion includes an intermediate wedge between the driving wedge and the following wedge to enable additional movement about a rotation X axis.

Method and apparatus for implementing ultra-high stability stages with combined degrees of freedom for multiple axes of motion

A method and apparatus for implementing an ultra-high stability long-vertical travel stage are provided. The ultra-high stability long-vertical travel stage includes a first wedge supporting a second wedge, each wedge formed of a selected stable material having predefined rigidity and low thermal expansion coefficient, and integrated air bearings. A linear guiding mechanism includes a plurality of flexures. The first wedge is driven in a plane providing vertical motion on the second wedge with the integrated air bearings lifted and the flexures allowing for movement.

Method and apparatus for implementing ultra-high stability long-vertical travel stage

A method and deformation compensated flexural pivots structured for precision linear nanopositioning stages are provided. A deformation-compensated flexural linear guiding mechanism includes a basic parallel mechanism including a U-shaped member and a pair of parallel bars linked to respective pairs of I-link bars and each of the I-bars coupled by a respective pair of flexural pivots. The basic parallel mechanism includes substantially evenly distributed flexural pivots minimizing center shift dynamic errors.

Mechanical design of deformation compensated flexural pivots structured for linear nanopositioning stages

A method and system for performing simultaneous topographic and elemental chemical and magnetic contrast analysis in a scanning, tunneling microscope. The method and system also includes nanofabricated coaxial multilayer tips with a nanoscale conducting apex and a programmable in-situ nanomanipulator to fabricate these tips and also to rotate tips controllably.

Simultaneous topographic and elemental chemical and magnetic contrast in scanning tunneling microscopy

A multifunctional hard x-ray nanoprobe instrument for characterization of nanoscale materials and devices includes a scanning probe mode with a full field transmission mode. The scanning probe mode provides fluorescence spectroscopy and diffraction contrast imaging. The full field transmission mode allows two-dimensional (2-D) imaging and tomography. The nanoprobe instrument includes zone plate optics for focusing and imaging. The nanoprobe instrument includes a stage group for positioning the zone plate optics. The nanoprobe instrument includes a specimen stage group for positioning the specimen. An enhanced laser Doppler displacement meter (LDDM) system provides two-dimensional differential displacement measurement in a range of nanometer resolution between the zone-plate optics and the sample holder. A digital signal processor (DSP) implements a real-time closed-loop feedback technique for providing differential vibration control between the zone-plate optics and the sample holder.

Optomechanical structure for a multifunctional hard x-ray nanoprobe instrument

A method and robot-based automation system are provided for cryogenic crystal sample mounting, for example, for use for cryogenic crystal sample mounting in the x-ray crystallography station at an x-ray source. The system includes a robot arm carrying a handset. The handset includes a pair of elongated fingers for sample mounting, and each finger carrying a set of strain gauge arrays for providing force sensing. A slim finger design allows a sample mounting process with no interference with the beam stop, cryostreem and x-ray detectors. The handset can detect the contact force intensity and direction; provide a precise gripping action; and feel the results of the gripping. The finger design incorporates a mechanism to maintain the sample temperature well below the cryogenic safety margin for the crystal viability. A Dewar container is provided with an ice control system and liquid nitrogen flow control. A triangular sample magazine maximizes the Dewar space usage. A miniature kinematical mounting sample holder provides near micron positioning repeatability. These capabilities make the robot-arm more powerful, flexible, and reliable.

Robot-based automation system for cryogenic crystal sample mounting

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Curt Alfred Preissner