| abstract |
Disclosed is a slide for supporting matter to be observed under a microscope, including a base, a plurality of electrical conductors disposed on the base, an insulating coating distributed over the base to isolate the matter from the conductor, and a plurality of microscopic perforations through the coating and communicating with the conductors, thereby permitting electrical contact between the conductors and a plurality of precise areas of the matter. The slide further includes a plurality of attraction zones on the surface of the coating adapted to cause matter to accumulate on the slide in a predetermined pattern with respect to the perforations. The slide is manufactured by affixing a plurality of electrical conductors to a base, applying an insulating coating over the base and the conductors, and forming microscopic perforations through the base by focussing a laser beam through the coating and onto a conductor, thereby partially vaporizing the conductor, the resulting vapor pressure causing a microscopic portion of the coating over the conductor to be removed. |