Patent ID: 8481968
Filing Date: 2013-07-09
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for preparing an electron microscope specimen, comprising: providing a wafer sample having thereon an analysis region; performing a dicing process to cut a sample piece from the wafer sample, wherein the sample piece comprises a target pillar structure and the analysis region is located on a top portion of the target pillar structure, wherein the dicing process comprises performing a first dicing process to form two first dicing trenches and a recessed ladder structure, performing a second dicing process to form two second dicing trenches on the wafer sample, wherein a height and a length of the target pillar structure are defined by the first dicing trenches; and performing a third dicing process to form a plurality of third dicing trenches between the two second dicing trenches, wherein a width of the target pillar structure is defined by the third dicing trenches, wherein a depth of each of the first dicing trenches and a depth of each of the second dicing trenches are both greater than a height of the wafer sample; and performing a thinning process to thin the top portion of the target pillar structure.