Patent ID: 8878147
Filing Date: 2014-11-04
Classification: B23K,B82Y,G01N,G01Q,G02B,H01J

Abstract:
1. A sample preparation system comprising: a sample support, configured to secure a solid sample; an excitation beam source that generates an excitation beam that includes an unfocused beam of ions, and that is configured to remove material from a surface of the solid sample; a beam shield lens configured to deflect the excitation beam, wherein the beam shield lens generates an electromagnetic or electrostatic field to act as a linear lens for deflecting an ion beam and avoid sputtering of the beam shield lens; and a beam shield holder configured to secure the beam shield lens so that an upper edge of the beam shield lens is positioned just below and parallel with the upper surface of the solid sample; wherein the sample preparation system is mounted inside a scanning electron microscope.