Patent ID: 8742346

Claim:
A plasma system for removing material from a surface of a microscopy sample to remove surface damage and for further controlled thinning of the microscopy sample, comprising: a microscopy sample holder for retaining a microscopy sample in place in a desired orientation; a plasma cleaning apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber and an entry port for entry thereinto, the vacuum chamber comprising a hinged vacuum sealing lid; an antenna integrated into the vacuum sealing lid; a plasma trimming rod assembly comprising a conductor piston and a conductor spring for supporting said sample holder; a plasma cleaner adapter for facilitating entry of the plasma trimming rod assembly into said plasma cleaner vacuum chamber through said entry port; a vacuum o-ring for sealingly connecting the plasma cleaner vacuum chamber to the plasma trimming rod assembly; an adapter disposed about the plasma trimming rod as a grounded shroud; and an external power supply for biasing said sample; wherein the rod may be withdrawn proximally so that the specimen is surrounded by the grounded shroud during plasma processing.