1. A method of preparing a sample for analysis, the method comprising:
directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material and expose a surface, the exposed surface having irregularities;
depositing material on the exposed surface, the deposited material smoothing the irregularities; and
directing an ion beam toward the work piece to remove at least some deposited materials and some material from the exposed surface to produce a smooth surface.
2. The method of claim 1 in which the sample material is a porous material.
3. The method of claim 1 in which the deposited material is formed by the dissociation of a precursor material, and the precursor material is activated by exposing the exposed surface to electrons, ions, X-rays, light, heat, or microwave radiation, as a result of which the precursor material dissociates in a non-volatile part that forms the deposit and a volatile part.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising depositing a protective layer onto the surface of the work piece using charged particle beam deposition.
5. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material includes directing an ion beam perpendicular to the work piece surface.
6. The method of claim 1 in which depositing material on the exposed surface includes tilting the work piece and depositing the material using charged particle beam deposition.
7. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material and expose a surface includes directing the ion beam using a first beam current and in which directing an ion beam toward the work piece to remove the deposited materials includes directing the ion beam using a second beam current, less than the first beam current.
8. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material and expose a surface includes directing an ion beam from a plasma ion source, the ion beam having a beam current greater than 50 nA.
9. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material includes cutting a trench to expose a cross section for observation by a scanning electron microscope.
10. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material includes forming a lamella for observation on a transmission electron microscope.
11. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece includes directing an ion beam toward a work piece composed of layers of materials of different hardnesses, the ion beam creating the irregularities in a softer layer after passing through harder layer.
12. The method of claim 1 in which directing an ion beam toward a work piece includes directing an ion beam toward a work piece composed of at least a layer of a metal and a layer of an oxide or nitride of the metal.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising directing an ion beam toward a work piece to expose a second face depositing a layer of a material onto the exposed second sample face.
14. An charged particle beam apparatus comprising:
an ion source;
a focusing column for focusing the ions onto a work piece in a sample vacuum chamber;
a gas injection system for providing a precursor gas at the work piece surface;
a controller for controlling the operation of the charged particle beam system in accordance with stored computer-readable instructions; and
a computer readable memory storing computer instruction for controlling the charged particle beam system to:
directing an ion beam toward a work piece to remove material and expose a surface, the exposed surface having irregularities;
depositing material on the exposed surface, the deposited material smoothing the irregularities;
directing an ion beam toward the work piece to remove the deposited materials and some material from the exposed surface to produce a smooth cross sectional face.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to control a charged particle beam system to carry out the steps of the method of claim 1.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said bicycle trailer comprising:
a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto, said hooks adapted to receive a fastening cord for maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport;
a platform suspended on an upper surface of said frame, said platform adapted to receive the cargo items thereon;
a fender adapted to encompass a wheel of the bicycle trailer and thereby prevent water and debris from contacting the cargo;
a first bar attached to an underside portion of said frame and extending upwardly therefrom;
a second bar;
a hinge connected to said first and second bars respectively;
a universal joint connected to said second bar;
a third bar connected to said universal joint;
a clamping collar attached to said third bar, said clamping collar adapted to be attached to a seat portion of the bicycle; and,
a plurality of forks and an axle attached thereto, said axle adapted to be coupled to the bicycle trailer wheel, said forks further being attached to said first bar.
2. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said forks are positioned parallel to said first bar and further are attached to end portions of said axle.
3. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said hinge is a quick-release hinge biased between open and closed positions such that said second bar is detachably engaged with said first bar.
4. The bicycle trailer of claim 3, wherein said quick-release hinge comprises:
a first flange coupled to said first bar;
a second flange coupled to said second bar;
a rod positioned through said first and second flanges;
a cam and a cam washer attached to said rod; and,
a hinge pin mated to said first and second flanges respectively;
a spring pin attached to said hinge pin for maintaining said first and second flanges at a pivotal relationship;
wherein said cam is rotated downwardly to a locked position and thereby slidably engaged with said cam washer to second flange; and,
wherein said cam is rotated upwardly to an unlocked position and thereby retracts said rod from said second flange.
5. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said universal joint and said clamping collar are adapted to pivot and move with the bicycle.
6. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said universal joint comprises:
a first yoke attached to an end portion of said second bar;
a second yoke attached to an end portion of said third bar; and,
a joint connected to said first and second yokes respectively.
7. The bicycle trailer of claim 1, wherein said clamping collar comprises:
a plurality of arcuate stationary collars having a plurality of hinges connected to each other, said arcuate stationary collars being attached to said third bar and further adapted to be removably attached to the bicycle seat portion; and,
a cam lever attached to said clamping collar and being rotated outwardly and inwardly between open and closed positions respectively.
8. A bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said bicycle trailer comprising:
a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto, said hooks adapted to receive a fastening cord for maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport;
a platform suspended on an upper surface of said frame, said platform adapted to receive the cargo items thereon, said platform being provided with a plurality of hand apertures formed therein for assisting a user to lift said frame;
a fender adapted to encompass a wheel of the bicycle trailer and thereby prevent water and debris from contacting the cargo;
a first bar attached to an underside portion of said frame and extending upwardly therefrom;
a second bar;
a hinge connected to said first and second bars respectively;
a universal joint connected to said second bar;
a third bar connected to said universal joint;
a clamping collar attached to said third bar, said clamping collar adapted to be attached to a seat portion of the bicycle; and,
a plurality of forks and an axle attached thereto, said axle adapted to be coupled to the bicycle trailer wheel, said forks further being attached to said first bar.
9. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said forks are positioned parallel to said first bar and further are attached to end portions of said axle.
10. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said hinge is a quick-release hinge biased between open and closed positions such that said second bar is detachably engaged with said first bar.
11. The bicycle trailer of claim 10, wherein said quick-release hinge comprises:
a first flange coupled to said first bar;
a second flange coupled to said second bar;
a rod positioned through said first and second flanges;
a cam and a cam washer attached to said rod; and,
a hinge pin mated to said first and second flanges respectively;
a spring pin attached to said hinge pin for maintaining said first and second flanges at a pivotal relationship;
wherein said cam is rotated downwardly to a locked position and thereby slidably engaged with said cam washer to second flange; and,
wherein said cam is rotated upwardly to an unlocked position and thereby retracts said rod from said second flange.
12. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said universal joint and said clamping collar are adapted to pivot and move with the bicycle.
13. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said universal joint comprises:
a first yoke attached to an end portion of said second bar;
a second yoke attached to an end portion of said third bar; and,
a joint connected to said first and second yokes respectively.
14. The bicycle trailer of claim 8, wherein said clamping collar comprises:
a plurality of arcuate stationary collars having a plurality of hinges connected to each other, said arcuate stationary collars being attached to said third bar and further adapted to be removably attached to the bicycle seat portion; and,
a cam lever attached to said clamping collar and being rotated outwardly and inwardly between open and closed positions respectively.
15. A method of utilizing a bicycle trailer for hauling cargo via a bicycle, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a frame including a plurality of hooks connected thereto;
providing and suspending a platform on an upper surface of said frame, said platform being provided with a plurality of hand apertures formed therein for assisting a user to lift said frame;
providing and attaching a first bar to an underside portion of said frame such that said first bar extends upwardly from said frame;
providing a second bar;
providing and connecting a hinge to said first and second bars respectively;
providing and connecting a universal joint to said second bar;
providing and connecting a third bar to said universal joint;
providing and attaching a clamping collar to said third bar;
attaching said clamping collar to a seat portion of the bicycle;
providing and attaching a plurality of forks to said first bar;
providing and attaching an axle to said forks;
coupling said axle to a wheel of the bicycle trailer;
positioning the cargo onto said platform;
preventing water and debris from contacting the cargo by providing and encompassing a fender over the bicycle trailer wheel; and,
maintaining the cargo at a substantially stable position during transport by providing and connecting a fastening cord to said hooks.