Patent · US Expired

Sample mount for performing sputter-deposition in a focused ion beam (FIB) tool

US6946064B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 8, 2003
Grant dateSep 20, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J37/3056
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and structure for a sample processing apparatus that uses a vacuum enclosure is disclosed. A focused ion beam tool, sputter target, movable stage, and hinged mount are all included within the vacuum enclosure. The hinged mount includes a sample mounting portion, for holding a sample being processed in the vacuum enclosure, and a counterweight portion. The counterweight portion is connected to the sample mounting portion at an approximate right angle to the sample mounting portion. More specifically, one end of the sample mounting portion is connected to one end of the counterweight portion, such that the sample mounting portion and the counterweight portion form an approximate right angle. There is also an axis around which the mount rotates. The axis passes through the sample mounting portion and the counterweight portion at a location where the sample mounting portion and the counterweight portion connect to one another.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.