Device for receiving a test sample

1. A device for receiving a test sample, particularly sample holders, for combined examination of the test sample by a test procedure and another test procedure which differs from the first test procedure, with a planar preparation component in a transparent material with a preparation surface on which a test sample may be prepared, wherein a test path for the introduction of a test facility for carrying out the test procedure is formed on one side of the preparation component and another test path for the introduction of a test facility for carrying out the other test procedure on the test sample is formed on an opposite side of the preparation component and wherein a supporting and covering element which has an aperture through which the test path is formed, is pressed against the preparation component on one side;

wherein a sealing element is arranged between the preparation component and the supporting and covering element, to make a fluid-tight connection between the preparation component and the supporting and covering element;

the preparation component is located on a supporting component, which has a recess with a surface area which is larger than that of the aperture;

the sealing element is extending into an area overlapping with the recess in the supporting component; and

wherein a peripheral vessel wall is arranged on the supporting and covering element, and the peripheral vessel wall forming an extended sample receiving chamber, the extended sample receiving chamber is disposed above the aperture.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the aperture in the supporting and covering element encompasses the preparation surface.

3. The device in accordance with claim 2 , wherein a reduced preparation surface is formed by the aperture of the supporting and covering element, which preparation surface is demarcated by the aperture.

4. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a sample receiving chamber is formed in the aperture of the supporting and covering element.

5. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a sealing aperture is formed in the sealing element, which has a diameter which is essentially equal to the diameter of the aperture in the supporting and covering element, the aperture and the sealing aperture being arranged to overlap.

6. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the preparation component and the supporting and covering element are thermally decoupled by the sealing element.

7. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein one or more feed lines for introducing and removing a liquid to and from the extended sample receiving chamber are formed in the vessel wall.

8. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the vessel wall is formed in one piece with the supporting and covering element, forming a base component with the supporting and covering element.

9. The device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein at least one of the supporting and covering element and the vessel wall have a coating, at least on the surface facing the extended sample receiving chamber.

10. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the preparation component is made of at least one of a glass and a transparent plastic material.

11. The device in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the preparation component is a cover slip with standardized dimensions.

12. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the support is in a heat-insulating material, at least in one section in which the preparation component is used for support.

13. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a depression for receiving the preparation component and the supporting and covering element, and optionally the wall of the vessel, is formed in the support.

14. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least one of the preparation component and the wall of the vessel are thermally coupled to a temperature element for at least one of heating and cooling the test sample.

15. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least one of the preparation component and the wall of the vessel are retained by a swiveling holder, which can be swiveled between an open position and a closed position.

16. The device in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the holder is retained by a catch in its closed position.

17. The device in accordance with claim 15 , wherein at least one sensing apparatus is arranged to the holder, with which test conditions in the sample chamber can be detected in the closed position.

18. The device in accordance with claim 17 , wherein at least one sensing apparatus is at least one of thermally decoupled from the holder, the wall of the vessel and the supporting and covering component.

19. The device in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the temperature element is integrated into the swiveling holder and is thermally coupled to at least one of the preparation components and the vessel wall in the closed position.

20. The device in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the temperature element is thermally coupled to at least one of the preparation component and the wall of the vessel by means of a turning and sliding joint.

21. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the test path is a scanning probe microscope test path for the introduction of a scanning probe microscope.

22. The device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the other test path is an optical test path for the introduction of an optical test apparatus.