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NSRL User Guide

I. Beamline Hardware

Sample Holders

Mounting Electronics Samples in the Beam

There are a variety of devices designed to hold circuit boards in the beam, from vises that grab on the edge of a board, to window frame holders that a circuit board can slide into. The images below show several of our holders. The short, rubber gripped holders can extend up to 16.5 cm wide (6.5 inches) and the tall, metal grip vise can extend to 30.5 cm (12 inches)

sample holders sample holders

In addition, we have many ring stand style flask holders that can be configured to support nearly any board.

sample holders

Biology Samples

NSRL maintains a wide variety of sample holders ready for users to mount standard sample containers in. This includes holders for four T75 flasks, six T25 flasks, and several arrangements for small test tubes. If you cannot make use of the existing sample holders, then NSRL staff can fabricate a custom sample holder to fit your needs. Most sample holders are carved out of low-mass polyethylene foam shown in the photographs below using a hot-wire cutter. This foam produces minimal scatter and fragmentation of the incoming heavy ion beam. It is sized for easy fitting into the sample flipper. If the sample holder you need is not already available, we can usually make up a custom holder for you on short notice.

sample holders

Left: two T75 flasks in foam. Right: Six T25 flasks in foam.

sample holders

Left: 96 well plate. Right: foam holder.

sample holders

hot wire foam cutter