Patent ID: 7277527

Claim:
An apparatus for presenting a sample to a radiation interface of an analysis engine using x-ray, neutron ray, gamma ray or particle-beam radiation to analyze the sample, the apparatus comprising: a barrier, transparent to the radiation, and separating the sample from the engine, the barrier moveable relative to the radiation interface and over a sample cavity in which the sample is disposed; a barrier movement system to effect movement of said barrier; a sample chamber having a surface into which the sample cavity is formed; an opposition surface opposing the sample cavity having an aperture allowing passage of the radiation to and from the sample cavity, wherein the barrier is disposed between the surface of the sample chamber and the opposition surface, and wherein the sample chamber is moveable relative to the opposition surface to increase and decrease pressure on the barrier; and an elastic material disposed between the sample chamber and the opposition surface, and around the sample cavity, to prevent unnecessary leakage of the sample; wherein the barrier maintains the sample in the sample cavity during analysis of the sample by the analysis engine, and wherein the pressure on the barrier can be decreased to allow movement of the barrier.