Compact, portable, automatic sample changer stick for cryostats and closed-cycle refrigerators

Beamlines are facilities that produce and deliver highly focused intense beams of radiation, typically x rays, synchrotron or neutrons, for scientific research purposes. Millions dollars spent annually to maintain operate these beamlines, oftentimes running continuously between cycles. To reduce human intervention improve productivity, mechanical sample changers often commissioned use. Designing is difficult because parts can be bulky, expensive, challenging design instruments with low volume access, high cryogenic environments. We present a portable inexpensive changer stick hold manipulate up four samples, specifically designed use closed-cycle refrigerators. The enables rapid efficient exchange samples without manual intervention, compatible standard mounts such as vanadium cans. includes motorized rotation lancing mechanism, which the precise positioning each in neutron beam, while ensuring compatibility operating temperatures vacuum conditions required has been successfully tested at VISION beamline Spallation Neutron Source. action software controls detailed. valuable tool scientists working