Patent ID: 6570170
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
A method for sample separation and lift-out comprising the steps of:a. positioning a wafer, the wafer having a target, inside a FIB instrument; b. positioning an ion beam at substantially normal incidence to the plane of the wafer; c. cutting with the ion beam a first cut into the wafer; the first cut at least partially surrounding the target; d. re-positioning the wafer with respect to the ion beam; e. positioning the ion beam at an angle less than 90 degrees to the plane of the wafer; f. cutting with the ion beam a second cut in the wafer, undercutting the target, so that a sample containing the target is completely released from the wafer after the second cut; and thereafter g. fixing the tip of a probe to the released sample; and, h. separating the sample and the wafer.