Quantitative tensile-tilting stages for the high voltage electron microscope.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Microscopy Engineering

Background:

• High voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) requires specialized stages for in-situ material analysis.
• Existing tensile stages may lack the required stability, load capacity, or compatibility for HVEM applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and describe novel soft and hard tensile stages for HVEM.
• To evaluate the performance characteristics of these new stages, including stability, response time, and load capacity.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of two distinct tensile stages (soft and hard) compatible with a top-entry double tilting stage.
• Utilizing thermal expansion elements for stage actuation against water-cooled components.
• Integration of strain gauge bridges for precise force and elongation measurements.

Main Results:

• Both stages demonstrate smooth operational action with low response times and good long-time stability.
• The soft stage supports a maximum load of 13 g, while the hard stage accommodates up to 1.5 kg.
• The stages are effectively integrated with existing HVEM accessories.

Conclusions:

• The developed soft and hard tensile stages are suitable for in-situ mechanical testing in HVEM.
• These stages provide reliable force and elongation measurements with enhanced stability and load capabilities.