Patent ID: 8525137
Filing Date: 2013-09-03
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method of thinning a sample section for TEM analysis, the method comprising: loading the sample to be thinned into an ion beam system; thinning the sample section by directing a substantially normal ion beam at a first side of the sample section in a milling pattern that thins the sample section in a series of passes, each pass having a scan speed and comprising moving the beam in a raster pattern from the outside of the sample section inward to the desired sample face and then returning to the outside of the sample section, the series of passes continuing until the first side of the sample section has been thinned to a desired depth wherein said scan speed decreases as it gets closer to said desired depth; and automatically thinning the sample section by directing a substantially normal ion beam at the opposite second side of the sample section in a milling pattern that thins the sample section in a series of passes, each pass having a scan speed and comprising moving the beam in a raster pattern from the outside of the sample section inward to the desired sample face and then returning to the outside of the sample section, the series of passes continuing until the second side of the sample section has been thinned to a desired depth wherein said scan speed decreases as it gets closer to said desired depth.