Patent ID: 9499900
Filing Date: 2016-11-22
CPC Classification: C23C,G01N,H01J

Claim Text:
1. An ion milling device comprising: an ion source for irradiating an upper surface of a sample with an ion beam having an optical axis, the sample further comprising a lower surface and a plurality of side surfaces; a sample stage disposed within a vacuum chamber for the sample to be irradiated with the ion beam; a sample holder, to hold the sample, including a first contact surface and a second contact surface; and a mask to partially limit irradiation of the sample with the ion beam, the mask comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and a plurality of side surfaces, wherein the first contact surface contacts a side surface of the sample that is proximate to the optical axis of the ion beam, and the second contact surface contacts a side surface of the mask that is proximate to the optical axis of the ion beam so that the sample is partially exposed from the mask.