Interface designed with differential pumping and built-in figure of merit method to monitor chambers where environmentally sensitive samples are prepared and transferred for analysis

Abstract

In some embodiments, a system may function to transfer samples in a controlled environment. The system may include a sample container configured to convey a sample from a first device to a second device. The first device may be under pressure and the second device may be under vacuum. The second device may include a load chamber which functions to accept the sample from the sample container. The second device may include a pump chamber coupled to the load chamber using a conduit such that the pump chamber is in fluid communication with the load chamber as required. The second device may include a high vacuum pump coupled to the pump chamber. The second device may include a vacuum pump coupled to the pump chamber through the high vacuum pump in sequence. The second device may include an orifice sized to significantly restrict the flow of fluids through the conduit coupling the pump chamber to the load chamber, wherein the orifice is configured to allow for a transition from a viscous into a molecular flow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for transferring samples in a controlled environment, comprising:
 conveying a sample in a sample container from a first device to a second device, wherein the first device is under pressure and the second device is under vacuum, wherein the second device comprises:   transferring the sample to a load chamber;   reducing a pressure in the load chamber through a pump chamber coupled to the load chamber using a conduit, wherein a high vacuum pump is coupled to the pump chamber, and wherein a vacuum pump is coupled to the pump chamber through the high vacuum pump in sequence; and   transitioning from a viscous into a molecular flow using an orifice sized to significantly restrict the flow of fluids through the conduit coupling the pump chamber to the load chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice comprises a plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice comprises a plurality of orifices, wherein at least some of the plurality of orifices are in series. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice comprises a variably size orifice. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the orifice comprises a variably size orifice, wherein the variably size orifice may be remotely controlled. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to allow for a transition from a viscous into a molecular flow, without a power interruption and/or isolation of the high vacuum pump. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to achieve differential pumping. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises a substantially contained inert atmosphere. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises a substantially contained inert atmosphere, wherein the inert atmosphere is comprises a pressure greater than an atmospheric pressure outside of the first device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample container is positionable in the load chamber. 
     
     
         11 . A method for transferring samples in a controlled environment, comprising:
 conveying a sample in a sample container from a first device to a second device, wherein the first device is under pressure and the second device is under vacuum, wherein the second device comprises:   transferring the sample to a load chamber from the sample container;   reducing a pressure in the load chamber using a vacuum pump via a conduit coupling the load chamber to the vacuum pump; and   transitioning from a viscous into a molecular flow using a variable orifice sized to significantly restrict the flow of fluids through the conduit coupling the pump chamber to the load chamber, wherein the variable orifice is configured to allow for a transition from a viscous into a molecular flow using differential pumping.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the variably size orifice may be remotely controlled. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the variable orifice comprises a plurality variably size orifices. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the system is configured to allow for a transition from a viscous into a molecular flow, without a power interruption and/or isolation of the high vacuum pump. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the system is configured to achieve differential pumping. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first device comprises a substantially contained inert atmosphere. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first device comprises a substantially contained inert atmosphere, wherein the inert atmosphere is comprises a pressure greater than an atmospheric pressure outside of the first device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising positioning the sample container in the load chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising monitoring a pressure spike within a portion of the second device using the second device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising tuning the pressure spike.