Patent ID: 8455841

Claim:
An ion microscope, comprising: a field ionization ion source which has an emitter tip having a needle-shaped end, an ionizing chamber in which the emitter tip is arranged, a pipe for supplying gas molecules to the vicinity of the end of the emitter tip, and an extraction electrode for generating an electric field to ionize the gas molecules in the vicinity of the emitter tip end; a sample stage on which a sample is placed; a lens for focusing an ion beam from the gas field ionization ion source onto the sample; a base for supporting the field ionization ion source, the sample stage and the lens; an apparatus stand; and a vibration removal mechanism disposed between the base and the apparatus stand, the ion microscope, comprising: a cooling heat conductor thermally connected partly to the field ionization ion source; a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the cooling heat conductor; a refrigerator independent of the base; a two-way pipe for circulating a refrigerant between the heat exchanger and the refrigerator; and a vacuum insulated pipe which houses at least part of the two-way pipe, wherein: one end of the vacuum insulated pipe is supported by the base.