Patent ID: 8283642
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. An ion beam sample preparation apparatus comprising: a) a tilting ion beam irradiating means disposed in a vacuum chamber and directing an ion beam toward a shield, characterized in that said tilting ion beam irradiating means projects an ion beam along a central ion beam axis, the direction of said central ion beam axis having a tilt angle with respect to said shield; b) a tilt drive operably coupled to said tilting ion beam irradiating means and configured to move the direction of said central ion beam axis between at least two different tilt angles; c) a shield retention stage disposed in the vacuum chamber; said shield retention stage comprising: d) the shield having at least a rigid planar portion, removably and replaceably held in said shield retention stage, said shield further comprising: