System and method for electrochemical processing of non-flat samples

Abstract

A system and method for electrochemically processing non-flat samples and/or samples that can change shape during the electrochemical processing is disclosed. In one aspect, a system includes a sample holder for providing an electrical contact to the sample during electrochemical processing. The sample holder has a carrying element and a fixing element for clamping of the sample in between the fixing element and the carrying element, thus providing electrical contact to the sample while allowing the sample to change shape without interrupting the electrical contact.

1 . A system for electrochemically processing non-flat samples and/or samples that can change shape during the electrochemical processing, the system comprising:
 a sample holder configured to provide an electrical contact to the sample during electrochemical processing, wherein the sample holder comprises a grid-shaped carrying element and a fixing element for clamping the sample in between the fixing element and the carrying element, thus providing electrical contact to the sample while allowing the sample to change shape without interrupting the electrical contact.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrying element is bent in at least a first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a pre-formed platform for, in use, reversing the bending of the carrying element. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrying element is a flexible carrying element clamped in a frame of smaller dimensions than the dimensions of the carrying element such that the carrying element can take on either of two stable positions, each stable position corresponding to a different bending direction of the carrying element. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , further comprising a pre-formed platform for, in use, reversing the bending of the carrying element. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixing element is a linear fixing element. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixing element provides a contact area between the fixing element and a sample in the form of a point or an area with limited dimensions less than about 10% of the corresponding dimensions of the sample. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the contact area between the fixing element and the sample is a substantially circular contact area. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fixing element and the carrying element is electrically conductive. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handler for handling the sample holder. 
     
     
         11 . A method of electrochemically processing non-flat samples and/or samples that can change shape during processing, the method comprising:
 clamping a sample between a grid-shaped carrying element and a fixing element at at least one point, thus providing an electrical contact to the sample; and   electrochemically processing the clamped sample, while allowing the electrochemically processed sample to change shape without interrupting the electrical contact.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein allowing the electrochemically processed sample to change shape comprises reversing a bending direction of the carrying element carrying the sample. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the carrying element is bent in at least a first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the carrying element is a flexible carrying element clamped in a frame of smaller dimensions than the dimensions of the carrying element such that the carrying element can take on either of two stable positions, each stable position corresponding to a different bending direction of the carrying element. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the fixing element is a linear fixing element. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the sample is clamped such that the fixing element provides a contact area between the fixing element and the sample in the form of a point or an area with limited dimensions less than about 10% of the corresponding dimensions of the sample. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the contact area between the fixing element and the sample is a substantially circular contact area. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the fixing element and the carrying element is electrically conductive.