Patent ID: 6621081
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
A method of using a focused-ion beam to prepare a sample of a structure including a feature of a magnetic transducer for subsequent imaging, the structure being disposed above a surrounding area on an upper surface of the sample, the sample having first and second materials in contact at a planar internal interface which is perpendicular to the upper surface of the sample, the first material and the second material having unequal rates of etching when exposed to the focused-ion beam, the method comprising the steps of:positioning the upper surface of the sample at a non-perpendicular angle to an incident angle of the focused-ion beam so that a majority of beamlets of the focused-ion beam cut first and second materials at the planar internal interface to reduce a curtaining effect from the unequal rates of etching; and etching away first and second materials using the focused-ion beam to form a new surface of the structure for subsequent imaging, the planar internal interface intersecting the new surface as a line.