US 11,719,923 B2
Sample holder for using mounted SEM samples in upright and inverted optical microscopes and spectrometers
Shannon Lee Eichmann, Katy, TX (US); Gary Eppler, Baytown, TX (US); Joshua Brothers, Sealy, TX (US); and David Jacobi, Spring, TX (US)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Jun. 15, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/901,620.
Prior Publication US 2021/0389579 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. G02B 21/26 (2006.01); G02B 21/34 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 21/34 (2013.01) [G02B 21/26 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mounting device for holding a sample mounted to a sample holder for use in an inverted microscope, the mounting device comprising: a platen; a mounting disposed on a sample side of the platen; and a spacer shaped as a hollow prism or a hollow cylinder having a height and defining a through hole, wherein the platen is disposed on the spacer with the sample side facing toward the spacer and the sample holder positioned within the through hole, wherein the height of the spacer arranges the sample within a focal plane of the inverted microscope, wherein the sample holder is removably coupled to the mounting so the sample is along an optical axis of the inverted microscope; wherein the mounting is integrally formed with the platen; wherein a window in at least one of the platen and the spacer, and a window cover for temporarily covering the window.