Patent · US Active

Glancing angle mill

US9941096B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
8References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 11, 2012
Grant dateApr 10, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 23, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/31745
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and system for forming a planar cross-section view for an electron microscope. The method comprises directing an ion beam from an ion source toward a first surface of a sample to mill at least a portion of the sample; milling the first surface, using the ion beam, to expose a second surface in which the end of the second surface distal to the ion source is milled to a greater depth relative to a reference depth than the end of the first surface proximal to the ion source; directing an electron beam from an electron source to the second surface; and forming an image of the second surface by detecting the interaction of the electron beam with the second surface. Embodiments also include planarzing the first surface of the sample prior to forming a cross-section.

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