Patent ID: 7453073
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method of preparing a specimen, comprising the steps of: placing a shielding material over a specimen material to form a non-irradiated surface portion and irradiated surface portions on the specimen material, the irradiated surface portions being located around the non-irradiated surface portion said shielding material being shaped like a belt, ribbon, or tape, said shielding material being placed over the specimen material; and directing an ion beam relative to said non-irradiated surface portion at the shielding material and at the specimen material from different directions to etch said irradiated surface portions while leaving said non-irradiated surface portion unetched, said ion beam being directed at the shielding material and at the specimen material obliquely relative to said non-irradiated surface portion from the left side of the shielding material or from directly at the shielding material, said ion beam being also directed at the shielding material and at the specimen material obliquely relative to said non-irradiated surface portion from the right side of the shielding material, wherein the directions in which the ion beam is directed are set in such a way as to form a thin-film specimen having a thickness which decreases in going away from said non-irradiated surface portion.