A range of cutting and polishing tools are available to prepare ideal sample geometries, such as bars for transport measurements, disks with optimum thickness for high energy x-ray diffraction, small crystals for high pressure experiments, bulky crystals with oriented surfaces for magnetization measurements. Samples are mounted on goniometers that fit on all relevant instruments, including Laue camera, various saws, and polisher.
Cutting
This KD Unipress WS22 wire saw is ideal for cutting small single crystals using wire diameters of 30 to 60 micron. Samples with 200 micron have been produced. We have spent some effort installing a digital microscope with display and translation stage to be able to zoom in on the sample, place the cutting wire with few micron precision, and perform length measurements.
Standard Southbay Technology 650 low speed diamond blade saw, with various adapters allowing to accomodate goniometers.
This LamPlan CUTLAM 1.1 high speed saw isn't as much for cutting samples but for heavy duty cutting of ceramics and metals such as process tubes. We picked this particular model because its interlocked protection cover has two side ports that allow for cutting of long tubes in a safe manner.
Polishing
Struers LaboPol 30 polishing machine allowing both, simultaneous polishing of multiple samples using power head with programmable grinding pressure, as well as manual polishing of delecate samples using handheld jigs.