Patent Description:
To use a sample observed by the charged particle beam device and the electron microscope, the sample is generally attached to a cartridge that has a shape like a flat plate. Further, the sample is attached to the cartridge through a holder that includes a C-ring that is elastic.

Further, a device that sets a sample on a cartridge is disclosed in, for example, <CIT>. <CIT> discloses a technique that includes a mount and a groove, according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. The mount has an operation surface. On the operation surface, an operation of attaching a sample to a sample attachment portion of a cartridge can be performed. The groove is on the operation surface of the mount. The cartridge is slidably mounted in the groove.

Further, while the mount is disposed in a liquid, such as liquid nitrogen, an operation of setting the sample and a holder on the cartridge is performed.

However, the technique disclosed in <CIT> may apply pressure to the sample from the liquid that exists between the cartridge and the groove when the sample and the holder are set on the cartridge. The sample may be damaged.

Considering the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sample attachment device that can prevent a sample from being damaged.

To solve the above problems and achieve an object of the present invention, there is provided a sample attachment device according to claim <NUM> of the present invention which attaches a sample to a cartridge through a holder. The sample attachment device includes a mount, a mounted depression, and a pressure release depression. Liquid and air bubbles can pass the pressure release depression. The mount is contained in a liquid. The mounted depression is on the mount. A cartridge is mounted on the mounted depression. The pressure release depression is in the mounted depression. The pressure release depression is vertically under the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted on the mounted depression.

A sample attachment device according to the present invention can prevent a sample from being damaged.

Hereinafter, sample attachment devices according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. Note that common members in the drawings are marked with the same reference numerals. Further, the description will be given in the following order. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the following embodiments.

First, a sample attachment device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "present exemplary embodiment") will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a schematic configuration view illustrating the sample attachment device according to the present exemplary embodiment.

<FIG> illustrates the sample attachment device that sets a sample on a cartridge used for, for example, a cryogenic electron microscope. The cryogenic electron microscope freezes samples and observes the samples. As illustrated in <FIG>, a sample attachment device <NUM> includes a container <NUM> and a sample attachment unit <NUM>. The sample attachment device <NUM> also includes a preliminary-setting jig <NUM> (see <FIG>) and a C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The container <NUM> has a shape like a container that has an opening at a vertically top surface. The sample attachment unit <NUM> is disposed within the container <NUM>. Liquid nitrogen M1, for example, is filled within the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> contains an amount of the liquid nitrogen M1 that allows the whole sample attachment unit <NUM> that is disposed within the container <NUM> to be submerged by the liquid nitrogen M1. Note that an inner wall of the container <NUM> may have a mark that indicates the amount of the liquid nitrogen M1 that needs to be filled.

Further, an example in which the liquid nitrogen M1 is used as a liquid has been described. However, the liquid nitrogen M1 is not limitative but other various cooling liquids may be used.

Next, the sample attachment unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the sample attachment unit <NUM>. <FIG> is a top view illustrating the sample attachment unit <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-section view illustrating the sample attachment unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sample attachment unit <NUM> includes a mount <NUM>, a C-ring guide member <NUM> that illustrates one example of a holder guide member, a guide holding portion <NUM>, and two shaft supporting portions <NUM> and <NUM>.

The mount <NUM> substantially has a shape like a cuboid. The mount <NUM> has an operation surface 11a on which an attachment operation is performed. The attachment operation attaches a sample S1 and a C-ring <NUM> (see <FIG>). Hereinafter, a first direction X is parallel to a horizontal direction and is parallel to a long-side direction of the mount <NUM>. A second direction Y is parallel to the horizontal direction and is parallel to a short-side direction of the mount <NUM>. That is to say, the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X. Further, a third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y. That is to say, the third direction Z is perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

The mount <NUM> has a top surface on one side of the third direction Z. The top surface has the operation surface 11a. The operation surface 11a has a mounted depression <NUM>. The mounted depression <NUM> extends from one end of the operation surface 11a to the other end of the operation surface 11a in the first direction X. The mounted depression <NUM> is a depression in the operation surface 11a. The mounted depression <NUM> is depressed toward the other side of the third direction Z. A cartridge <NUM> is slidably disposed in the mounted depression <NUM>.

The C-ring guide member <NUM> and the guide holding portion <NUM> are provided for the operation surface 11a. The shaft supporting portions <NUM> and <NUM> are also provided for the operation surface 11a. The C-ring guide member <NUM>, the guide holding portion <NUM>, and the shaft supporting portions <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged near the mounted depression <NUM>. The C-ring guide member <NUM> and the shaft supporting portions <NUM> and <NUM> are closer to one side of the second direction Y than the mounted depression <NUM> is. The guide holding portion <NUM> is closer to the other side of the second direction Y than the mounted depression <NUM> is.

The two shaft supporting portions <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged apart from each other in a direction in which the mounted depression <NUM> extends, that is to say in the first direction X. A rotation shaft <NUM> is disposed through the shaft supporting portions <NUM> and <NUM>. The rotation shaft <NUM> is disposed in such a manner that an axial direction of the rotation shaft <NUM> is parallel to the first direction X. The C-ring guide member <NUM> is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft <NUM>.

The C-ring guide member <NUM> includes a guide member <NUM> and a supporting member <NUM>. The supporting member <NUM> has a rotation piece <NUM> that has a shape like a tongue, and a shaft receiving portion <NUM>. The shaft receiving portion <NUM> is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft <NUM>. The rotation piece <NUM> protrudes from the shaft receiving portion <NUM>. If the shaft receiving portion <NUM> rotates on the rotation shaft <NUM>, the rotation piece <NUM> is opposite the mounted depression <NUM> in the third direction Z, and a gap is between the rotation piece <NUM> and the mounted depression <NUM>.

The rotation piece <NUM> has a through hole 24a (see <FIG>). The guide member <NUM> is inserted in the through hole 24a (see <FIG>).

The guide member <NUM> has a guide tube <NUM> that is substantially cylindrical, and a flange <NUM>. A tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM> is tapered to make an inner diameter of the tube hole 26a continuously become smaller from one end to the other end in an axial direction. The C-ring <NUM>, the preliminary-setting jig <NUM>, and the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> are inserted in the tube hole 26a. The preliminary-setting jig <NUM> and the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> will be described below.

The guide tube <NUM> is inserted in the through hole 24a of the rotation piece <NUM>. Further, an outer diameter of the guide tube <NUM> is smaller than a diameter of the through hole 24a. When the guide tube <NUM> is inserted in the through hole 24a, the other end, in the axial direction, of the guide tube <NUM> protrudes from one surface of the rotation piece <NUM> that is opposite the mounted depression <NUM>.

A tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM> is tapered. Therefore, the closer to a front end (the other end) in the axial direction, the smaller an outer diameter of the tube hole 26a continuously becomes. The guide member <NUM> guides the C-ring <NUM> inserted in the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM> toward a sample attachment portion <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> that will be described below.

The flange <NUM> protrudes radially outward from one end, in the axial direction, of an outer curved surface of the guide tube <NUM>. When the guide tube <NUM> is inserted in the through hole 24a, the flange <NUM> is mounted on the other surface of the rotation piece <NUM>. The other surface of the rotation piece <NUM> is on an opposite side to the one surface of the rotation piece <NUM> that is opposite the mounted depression <NUM>. The flange <NUM> is fixed to the other surface of the rotation piece <NUM> with, for example, fixing screws. Consequently, the guide member <NUM> is fixed to the supporting member <NUM>.

As described above, the diameter of the through hole 24a is larger than the outer diameter of the guide tube <NUM>. Therefore, after the guide tube <NUM> is inserted in the through hole 24a, a position of the guide member <NUM> can be adjusted relative to the supporting member <NUM>.

The guide holding portion <NUM> is rotatably supported on the operation surface 11a through a rotation shaft 14a. If the guide holding portion <NUM> rotates, the guide holding portion <NUM> is moved to over the rotation piece <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM>. Consequently, the guide holding portion <NUM> does not allow the guide member <NUM> and the supporting member <NUM> to rotate during the operation.

Further, the mounted depression <NUM> has a pressure release depression <NUM>. The pressure release depression <NUM> is a depression in the mounted depression <NUM>. The pressure release depression <NUM> is depressed toward the other side of the third direction Z. Further, the pressure release depression <NUM> extends from one end of the mounted depression <NUM> to the other end of the mounted depression <NUM> in the first direction X. A length of the pressure release depression <NUM> in the first direction X is longer than a length of the cartridge <NUM> in the first direction X. Further, a length of the pressure release depression <NUM> in the second direction Y is shorter than lengths of the mounted depression <NUM> and the cartridge <NUM> in the second direction Y.

Further, when the cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the mounted depression <NUM>, the pressure release depression <NUM> is on the other side of the third direction Z of the cartridge <NUM>. When the sample S1 is set, the liquid nitrogen M1 (see <FIG>) and air bubbles Q1 that are between the cartridge <NUM> and the mounted depression <NUM> flow into the pressure release depression <NUM>. Consequently, when the sample S1 is set, pressure from the liquid nitrogen M1 is not applied to the sample S1.

The pressure release depression <NUM> has an opposite portion 16a that is opposite the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>. The opposite portion 16a has a length in the third direction Z, that is to say a depth. The length in the third direction Z is shorter than a depth of both ends 16b, in the first direction X, of the pressure release depression <NUM>. The pressure release depression <NUM> has a shallowest depth at the opposite portion 16a. That is to say, the pressure release depression <NUM> slopes. Consequently, the pressure release depression <NUM> continuously becomes deeper from the opposite portion 16a toward both the ends 16b. The opposite portion 16a of the pressure release depression <NUM> has a volume that is smaller than a volume of each of both the ends 16b.

Next, a configuration of the cartridge <NUM> contained in the sample attachment device <NUM> described above will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the cartridge <NUM> and the sample S1. <FIG> is a top view illustrating the cartridge <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged top view illustrating the sample attachment portion <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-section view illustrating the sample attachment portion <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cartridge <NUM> is rectangular and substantially has a shape like a flat plate. The cartridge <NUM> has the sample attachment portion <NUM>. The sample attachment portion <NUM> is a through hole that has substantially circular openings.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sample attachment portion <NUM> has a mounted portion 101a and a fitted portion 101b. The sample S1 and the C-ring <NUM> that illustrates an example of a holder are attached to the sample attachment portion <NUM>. The sample attachment portion <NUM> has the mounted portion 101a at a middle, in an axial direction, of the sample attachment portion <NUM>. Further, the mounted portion 101a is an inner flange that protrudes radially inward from an inner wall of the sample attachment portion <NUM>. The sample S1 is mounted on the mounted portion 101a.

In the sample attachment portion <NUM>, the fitted portion 101b is closer to a side from which the C-ring <NUM> and the sample S1 are inserted than the mounted portion 101a is. An inner diameter of the fitted portion 101b continuously becomes smaller from the mounted portion 101a to an opening of the sample attachment portion <NUM> on a side from which the C-ring <NUM> and the sample S1 are inserted. The C-ring <NUM> that has been inserted is fitted into between the fitted portion 101b and the mounted portion 101a.

Outer edges of the mounted portion 101a and the fitted portion 101b have two notches 101c and 101c. The two notches 101c and 101c are opposite each other. The liquid nitrogen M1 in the mounted portion 101a and the fitted portion 101b passes the two notches 101c and 101c.

The preliminary-setting jig <NUM> that will be described below is used to push the C-ring <NUM> into the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>. Further, the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> that will be described below is used to push the C-ring <NUM> and the sample S1 into the sample attachment portion <NUM>.

Next, the preliminary-setting jig <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is an elevation view illustrating the preliminary-setting jig <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the preliminary-setting jig <NUM> includes a handle <NUM> held by a user, a shaft <NUM>, a pushing-out portion <NUM>, and a stopper <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> has a shape like a rod. One end of the shaft <NUM> is connected with the handle <NUM>. The pushing-out portion <NUM> and the stopper <NUM> are provided at the other end (front end), in an axial direction, of the shaft <NUM>.

The pushing-out portion <NUM> is substantially cylindrical. Further, the pushing-out portion <NUM> has a plurality of slits 203a. The stopper <NUM> is on an outer curved surface of the pushing-out portion <NUM>. A predetermined length of the pushing-out portion <NUM> protrudes from a front end of the stopper <NUM>.

The front end of the stopper <NUM> has a tapered portion 204a. The closer to the front end in an axial direction, the smaller an outer diameter of the tapered portion 204a continuously becomes. Further, an outer diameter of the tapered portion 204a of the stopper <NUM> is larger than a smallest-diameter portion of the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>.

When the pushing-out portion <NUM> and the stopper <NUM> are inserted into the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>, the tapered portion 204a of the stopper <NUM> comes into contact with an inner wall surface of the tube hole 26a (see <FIG>). Further, a length of the pushing-out portion <NUM> that protrudes from the stopper <NUM> is shorter than a length from a front end of the tapered portion 204a to a front end of the tube hole 26a when the tapered portion 204a is in contact with the tube hole 26a. The preliminary-setting jig <NUM> preliminarily sets the C-ring <NUM> in the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>.

Next, the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> that illustrates a pushing-out jig will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is an elevation view illustrating the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-section view illustrating a front end of the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> includes a handle <NUM> held by a user, a shaft <NUM>, and a pushing-out portion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> has a shape like a hollow tube. One end, in an axial direction, of the shaft <NUM> is connected with the handle <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> has a channel <NUM> that continues from the one end to the other end in the axial direction. Further, the shaft <NUM> has a plurality of holes 302a that are through an outer curved surface of the shaft <NUM>. The holes 302a extend through the outer curved surface of the shaft <NUM>, and communicate with the channel <NUM>.

The pushing-out portion <NUM> is connected with the other end (front end), in the axial direction, of the shaft <NUM> The closer to the front end in an axial direction, the smaller an outer diameter of the pushing-out portion <NUM> continuously becomes. That is to say, the pushing-out portion <NUM> is tapered.

Further, a front end of the pushing-out portion <NUM> has a plurality of slits 303a. The slits 303a extend from the front end of the pushing-out portion <NUM> along the axial direction. The slits 303a have a predetermined length. Due to the plurality of slits 303a, a diameter of the front end of the pushing-out portion <NUM> is configured to become smaller toward a center in a radial direction.

A tube hole of the pushing-out portion <NUM> communicates with the channel <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> through a communication channel <NUM>. The liquid nitrogen M1 and the air bubbles Q1 pass the communication channel <NUM>, the channel <NUM>, and the holes 302a.

Next, one example of operation of setting the sample S1 on the cartridge <NUM> using the above sample attachment device <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a drawing illustrating the C-ring <NUM> that is being preliminarily set. <FIG> is a drawing illustrating the sample S1 and the C-ring that are being set.

As illustrated in <FIG> in advance, the container <NUM> contains the liquid nitrogen M1, and the sample attachment unit <NUM> and the cartridge <NUM> are cooled. First, the C-ring guide member <NUM> is rotated to open a top portion of the mounted depression <NUM>. Next, the cartridge <NUM> is mounted on the mounted depression <NUM>.

Then, the C-ring guide member <NUM> is rotated to dispose the guide member <NUM> over the cartridge <NUM>. Consequently, the guide tube <NUM> of the guide member <NUM> is opposite the sample attachment portion <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the guide holding portion <NUM> is rotated to dispose the guide holding portion <NUM> over the rotation piece <NUM> of the supporting member <NUM>. Consequently, rotation of the C-ring guide member <NUM> is restricted. Further, the C-ring guide member <NUM> is less likely to be unsteady and be out of position.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, the C-ring <NUM> is inserted into the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>. Further, the preliminary-setting jig <NUM> is used to push the C-ring <NUM> toward the other end, in an axial direction, of the tube hole 26a. The C-ring <NUM> is elastically deformed by the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>. Consequently, a diameter of the C-ring <NUM> becomes smaller.

Further, the tapered portion 204a of the stopper <NUM> of the preliminary-setting jig <NUM> comes into contact with the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>. Consequently, an insertion operation of the preliminary-setting jig <NUM> is restricted.

As described above, a length of the pushing-out portion <NUM> that protrudes from the stopper <NUM> is shorter than a length from a front end of the tapered portion 204a to a front end of the tube hole 26a when the tapered portion 204a is in contact with the tube hole 26a. Therefore, a front end of the pushing-out portion <NUM> stops at the other end, in the axial direction, of the tube hole 26a. Consequently, the C-ring <NUM> pushed by the pushing-out portion <NUM> is preliminarily set at the other end (lower end), in the axial direction, of the tube hole 26a.

Next, an operator rotates the C-ring guide member <NUM> to open a top portion of the sample attachment portion <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. The operator mounts the sample S1 on the mounted portion 101a of the sample attachment portion <NUM>. Then, the C-ring guide member <NUM> is rotated again to make the guide tube <NUM> be opposite the sample attachment portion <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>.

At this time, air bubbles Q1 are generated from minute gaps and protrusions of, for example, a screw <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. The air bubbles Q1 may make the sample S1 and the C-ring <NUM> float up.

Note that the air bubbles Q1 are generated from minute gaps and protrusions of, for example, the screw <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM> that will be described below. The air bubbles Q1 may make the sample S1 float up. To deal with the problem, the mounted depression <NUM> of the sample attachment unit <NUM> in the present exemplary embodiment has the pressure release depression <NUM> that the liquid nitrogen M1 and the air bubbles Q1 can pass. As illustrated in <FIG>, the air bubbles Q1 that have been generated move through the pressure release depression <NUM>.

Further, the pressure release depression <NUM> slopes. Consequently, the pressure release depression <NUM> continuously becomes deeper from the opposite portion 16a toward both the ends 16b. Therefore, the air bubbles Q1 that have been generated move from the opposite portion 16a that has a smaller volume to both the ends 16b that each have a larger volume through the pressure release depression <NUM>.

As described above, a length of the pressure release depression <NUM> in the first direction X is longer than a length of the cartridge <NUM> in the first direction X. The air bubbles Q1 that have moved to both the ends 16b can be let out from both ends, in the first direction X, of the cartridge <NUM>. That is to say, the air bubbles Q1 can be moved away from the opposite portion 16a that is opposite the guide tube <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the sample S1 from floating up due to the air bubbles Q1.

Next, as illustrated in <FIG>, the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> is used to push the C-ring <NUM> into the sample attachment portion <NUM>. Note that the C-ring <NUM> that has been preliminarily set at the other end of the tube hole 26a is elastically deformed and has a force in a direction that allows the diameter to be expanded. Therefore, while the C-ring <NUM> is pushed into, the C-ring <NUM> is substantially parallel to a front-end surface of the pushing-out portion <NUM> of the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM>.

If the C-ring <NUM> is further pushed into, the C-ring <NUM> is moved from the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM> to the fitted portion 101b of the sample attachment portion <NUM>. Further, the closer to the mounted portion 101a from an insertion-side opening, the larger an inner diameter of the fitted portion 101b. Therefore, a diameter of the C-ring <NUM> expands along an inner wall of the fitted portion 101b. Therefore, the C-ring <NUM> is fitted to the fitted portion 101b. The sample S1 is fixed to the sample attachment portion <NUM> since an edge of the sample S1 is held between the c-ring <NUM> and the mounted portion 101a. Consequently, the operation of setting the sample S1 is completed.

At this time, the tapered portion of the pushing-out portion <NUM> of the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> comes into contact with the tube hole 26a of the guide tube <NUM>. The guide tube <NUM> does not allow the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> to move toward the cartridge <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the sample S1 set at the sample attachment portion <NUM> from being touched by the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM>, and being damaged.

Further, the preliminary-setting jig <NUM> is used to preliminarily set the C-ring <NUM> at the other end, in the axial direction, of the tube hole 26a that is near the sample attachment portion <NUM>. A movement distance of the C-ring <NUM> from the other end, in the axial direction, of the tube hole 26a to the sample attachment portion <NUM> is shorter than a movement distance of the C-ring <NUM> from one end, in the axial direction, of the tube hole 26a to the sample attachment portion <NUM>. Consequently, an impact generated when the C-ring <NUM> moves from the tube hole 26a to the fitted portion 101b of the sample attachment portion <NUM> can be decreased. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the sample S1 from being damaged by the impact generated when the C-ring <NUM> moves.

Further, the liquid nitrogen M1 that is at the mounted portion 101a and the fitted portion 101b leaves the mounted portion 101a and the fitted portion 101b through the notches 101c. Consequently, a pressure applied to the sample S1 from the liquid nitrogen M1 generated when the sample S1 is set can be decreased.

Further, when the sample S1 is set, the liquid nitrogen M1 and the air bubbles Q1 that are between the cartridge <NUM> and the mounted depression <NUM> flow into the pressure release depression <NUM>. Consequently, when the sample S1 is set, a pressure applied to the sample S1 from the liquid nitrogen M1 and the air bubbles Q1 can be decreased, and the sample S1 can be prevented from being damaged by the pressure.

Further, when the C-ring pushing-out jig <NUM> is used to push the C-ring <NUM>, the liquid nitrogen M1 that exists between the pushing-out portion <NUM> and the sample S1 and air bubbles Q1 that have been generated move to the channel <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> through the tube hole of the pushing-out portion <NUM> and the communication channel <NUM>. Then the air bubbles Q1 move outside from the channel <NUM>. Consequently, a pressure applied to the sample S1 from the liquid nitrogen M1 that exists between the pushing-out portion <NUM> and the sample S1 and the air bubbles Q1 that have been generated can be decreased. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the sample S1 from being damaged by the pressure.

Next, a sample attachment device according to a second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a cross-section view illustrating a sample attachment unit of the sample attachment device according to the second exemplary embodiment.

A configuration of the sample attachment unit is a difference between the sample attachment device according to the second exemplary embodiment and the sample attachment device <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the sample attachment unit will be described here. Portions that are similar to the sample attachment device <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment will be marked with the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a sample attachment unit <NUM> includes a mount <NUM> and a C-ring guide member <NUM>. The mount <NUM> has a mounted depression <NUM> and a pressure release depression <NUM>. Configurations of the C-ring guide member <NUM> and the mounted depression <NUM> are similar to the configurations of the C-ring guide member <NUM> and the mounted depression <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment, and thus will not be described.

The pressure release depression <NUM> is a depression in the mounted depression <NUM>. The pressure release depression <NUM> is depressed toward the other side of a third direction Z. The pressure release depression <NUM> according to the second exemplary embodiment has an opposite portion 46a and both ends 46b. The opposite portion 46a and both the ends 46b have the same depth.

The pressure release depression <NUM> also has air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM>. The air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> protrude from a bottom surface of the pressure release depression <NUM> toward one side of the third direction Z. The air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> are at the opposite portion 46a of the pressure release depression <NUM>. The opposite portion 46a is opposite a guide tube <NUM>. Further, the air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> are arranged on both sides of a first direction X of the opposite portion 46a.

The air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> restrict movement of air bubbles Q1 to the opposite portion 46a through the pressure release depression <NUM>. The air bubbles Q1 are from minute gaps and protrusions of, for example, a screw <NUM> of a cartridge <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the sample S1 from floating up due to the air bubbles Q1.

<FIG> is a cross-section view illustrating a cartridge 100B that does not include a screw <NUM> and is mounted on the sample attachment unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, even if the cartridge 100B does not include the screw <NUM>, the air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> do not allow air bubbles Q1 to flow to the opposite portion 46a. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the sample S1 from floating up due to the air bubbles Q1.

Other configurations are similar to the configuration of the sample attachment unit <NUM> according to the above first exemplary embodiment, and thus will not be described. The sample attachment unit <NUM> that has such a configuration can obtain actions and effects that are similar to actions and effects of the sample attachment unit <NUM> according to the above first exemplary embodiment.

Note that although the air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> are arranged on both sides of the first direction X of the opposite portion 46a in the described example, the arrangement is not limited to the example. The air-bubble restriction protrusion <NUM> may be disposed on only one side on which a member that generates air bubbles Q1 is. The member that generates air bubbles Q1 includes, for example, a protrusion or a gap of the cartridge <NUM> or 100B.

Next, a sample attachment device according to a third exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG> is a cross-section view illustrating a sample attachment unit of the sample attachment device according to the third exemplary embodiment.

In the sample attachment device according to the third exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the sample attachment unit <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment is combined with the configuration of the sample attachment unit <NUM> according to the second exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the sample attachment unit will be described here. Portions that are similar to the sample attachment device <NUM> according to the first exemplary embodiment will be marked with the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

The pressure release depression <NUM> is a depression in the mounted depression <NUM>. The pressure release depression <NUM> is depressed toward the other side of a third direction Z. The pressure release depression <NUM> has a shallowest depth at an opposite portion 76a that is opposite a guide tube <NUM> of the C-ring guide member <NUM>. A depth of the pressure release depression <NUM> continuously becomes deeper from the opposite portion 76a to both ends 76b in a first direction X.

The pressure release depression <NUM> also has air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM>. The air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> protrude from a bottom surface of the pressure release depression <NUM> toward one side of the third direction Z. The air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> are arranged at the opposite portion 76a. Further, the air-bubble restriction protrusions <NUM> are arranged on both sides of the first direction X of the opposite portion 76a.

Other configurations are similar to the configuration of the sample attachment unit <NUM> according to the above first exemplary embodiment, and are similar to the configuration of the sample attachment unit <NUM> according to the above second exemplary embodiment, and thus will not be described. The sample attachment unit <NUM> that has such a configuration can obtain actions and effects that are similar to actions and effects of the sample attachment unit <NUM> according to the above first exemplary embodiment, and the sample attachment unit <NUM> according to the above second exemplary embodiment.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments that have been described above and are illustrated in the drawings. The present invention may be variously implemented within the scope of the invention disclosed in the claims.

Claim 1:
A sample attachment device (<NUM>) for attaching a sample (S1) to a cartridge (<NUM>, 100B) through a holder (<NUM>), the sample attachment device (<NUM>) comprising:
a mount (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) contained in a liquid (M1);
a mounted depression (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that is on the mount (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and on which the cartridge (<NUM>, 100B) is mounted; and
a guide member (<NUM>) that is provided for the mount (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and is configured to guide the holder (<NUM>) toward a sample attachment portion (<NUM>) of the cartridge (<NUM>, 100B)
characterized in that the sample detachment device (<NUM>) further comprises:
a pressure release depression (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that is in the mounted depression (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and is vertically under the cartridge (<NUM>, 100B) and the sample(S1) when the cartridge (<NUM>, 100B) is mounted on the mounted depression (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the mounted depression (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extends longer than a length of the cartridge (<NUM>, 100B) in a long-side direction so that the liquid (M1) and air bubbles (Q1) are passable.