Sample loading

Location

TITAN:

Sample loading is done outside of the room where Titan is hosted:

Spectra 300:

Sample loading can be done inside the Spectra room:

Sample holders are stored here at room temperature:

Single-tilt holder

Load sample:

FIXME: use technical terms for these objects… “pin” or “clip”?

1. Push the pin inside the tiny hole shown below:

   

2. Lift the clip gently:

   

3. If using a copper grid, pinch the tip of the copper grid

   

4. Place the sample, shiny side up for the standard sample

   

Double-tilt holder

Load sample:

1. Load the sample and washer (gold donut):

   

2. Add the cap and rotate the holder about the long axis to ensure the sample is secure:

   

Unload sample:

1. Press down the very small hole gently as shown below:

   

2. The three parts should all be disassembled and placed on the bottom:

   

Tomography holder

Unload sample

1. The sample grid is held between the two “arms” of the metal strips.

   

2. Rotate the screw counterclockwise about 90 degrees. Repeat for the other “arm”.

   

3. Move the two strips away from each other to free the sample

   From:

   

   To:

   

4. Remove the sample

   

Load sample

Follow the process in reverse: load a new sample, pull the two strips closer together, and rotate the screws clockwise.

Changelog

• Dec 20, 2025 - Rnhance holder insersion process with visuals
• Dec 18, 2025 - Reorganize into Start/End session sections for use across all tutorials by @bobleesj
• Dec 17, 2025 - Add sample loading region by @bobleesj
• Dec 15, 2025 - Add tomography holder section by @bobleesj, with images taken by Guoliang Hu
• Dec 13, 2025 - Add single-tilt, double-tilt holder section by @bobleesj, with images taken by Guoliang Hu