Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An apparatus for performing automated in-situ lift-out of a sample from a specimen, the apparatus comprising:a computer; the computer further comprising:a memory;the memory holding computer-readable instructions;a stage for a specimen;the stage connected to one or more stage motion controllersthe stage motion controllers connected to the computer;a nano-manipulator;the nano-manipulator connected to one or more nano-manipulator motion controllers;the nano-manipulator motion controllers connected to the computer;the nano-manipulator having a probe tip;a means for detecting when the probe tip makes contact with a surface;the means for detecting when the probe tip makes contact with a surface connected to the computer; and,the computer-readable instructions comprising instructions to cause the stage motion controllers and the nano-manipulator motion controllers to automatically perform in-situ lift-out of a sample from the specimen. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:a ion-beam source; the ion-beam source operatively connected to the computer. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:an electron-beam source; the electron-beam source operatively connected to the computer. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 where the means for detecting when the probe tip makes contact with a surface comprises a strain gauge. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 where the means for detecting when the probe makes contact with a surface comprises a light detector for measuring the change of intensity of reflected light as the probe tip is displaced by surface contact. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a focused ion beam instrument; the stage for a specimen disposed inside the focused ion beam instrument. 7. An apparatus for performing automated in-sit lift-out of a sample from a specimen, the apparatus comprising:a computer; the computer further comprising:a memory;the memory holding computer-readable instructions;a stage for a specimen;the stage connected to one or more stage motion controllersthe stage motion controllers connected to the computer;a nano-manipulator;the nano-manipulator connected to one or more nano-manipulator motion controllers;the nano-manipulator motion controllers connected to the computer; and,the computer-readable instructions comprising instructions to cause the stage motion controllers and the nano-manipulator motion controllers to automatically perform in-situ lift-out of a sample from the specimen. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:an ion-beam source; the ion-beam source operatively connected to the computer. 9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:an electron-beam source; the electron-beam source operatively connected to the computer. 10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a focused ion beam instrument; the stage for a specimen disposed inside the focused ion beam instrument. 11. An apparatus for performing automated in-situ lift-out of a sample from a specimen, the apparatus comprising:a focused ion beam instrument;a computer; the computer further comprising:a memory;the memory holding computer-readable instruction;a stage for a specimen;the stage for a specimen disposed within the focused ion beam instrument;the stage connected to one or more stage motion controllersthe stage motion controllers connected to the computer;an electron-beam source;the electron-beam source operatively connected to the computer;an ion-beam source;the ion-beam source operatively connected to the computer;a nano-manipulator;the nano-manipulator connected to one or more nano-manipulator controllers;the nano-manipulator motion controllers connected to the computer;the nano-manipulator having a probe tip;a strain gauge for detecting when the probe tip makes contact with a surface;the strain gauge connected to the computer; and,the computer-readable instructions comprising instructions to cause the stage motion controllers, the nano-manipulator motion controllers, and the ion-beam source to automatically perform in-situ lift-out of a sample from the specimen. 12. A method for preparing a sample from a specimen for analysis, in an apparatus comprising: a nano-manipulator probe; the nano-manipulator probe having a probe tip, a cassette for receiving probe tips, and an ion-beam source; the method comprising:performing lift-out of the sample from the specimen;where the sample is attached to the probe tip;thinning the sample with the ion beam for TEM Inspection; and,depositing the probe tip and sample in the cassette. 13. The method of claim 12 where the step of performing lift-out of the sample further comprises:obtaining coordinates of the sample area on the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the probe tip;computing the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip;moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is less than a predetermined distance;moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample;excising the sample from the specimen;attaching the sample to the probe tip. 14. The method of claim 13 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a strain gauge. 15. The method of claim 13 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a light detector. 16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:providing a focused ion-beam instrument; and,performing the lift-out of the sample from the specimen inside the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:selectively performing another sample lift-out and thinning before removing the cassette from the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 18. A method for preparing a sample from a specimen for analysis, in an apparatus comprising: a nano-manipulator probe; the nano-manipulator probe having a probe tip, a cassette for receiving probe tips, and an ion-beam source; the method comprising:performing lift-out of the sample from the specimen;where the sample is attached to the probe tip;depositing the probe tip and sample in the cassette; and,thinning the sample with the ion beam for TEM inspection. 19. The method of claim 18 where the step of performing lift-out of the sample further comprises:obtaining coordinates of the sample area on the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the probe tip;computing the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip;moving the probe tip toward to sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is less than a predetermined distance;moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample;excising the sample from the specimen;attaching the sample to the probe tip. 20. The method of claim 18 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a strain gauge. 21. The method of claim 18 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a light detector. 22. The method of claim 18 further comprising:providing a focused ion-beam instrument; and,performing the lift-out of the sample from the specimen inside the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:selectively performing another sample lift-out and thinning before removing the cassette from the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 24. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis of a sample from a specimen in an apparatus comprising: a nano-manipulator probe; the nano-manipulator probe having a probe tip, a cassette for receiving probe tips, and an ion-beam source; the method comprising:performing lift-out of the sample from the specimen;where the sample is attached to the probe tip;thinning the sample with the ion beam for TEM inspection; and,depositing the probe tip and sample in the cassette. 25. The computer-readable medium of claim 24 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:obtaining coordinates of the sample on the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the probe tip;computing the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip;moving probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is less than a predetermined distance;moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample;excising the sample from the specimen;attaching the sample to the probe tip. 26. The computer-readable medium of claim 24 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises: further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a strain gauge. 27. The computer-readable medium of claim 24 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a light detector. 28. The computer-readable medium of claim 24 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:providing a focused ion-beam instrument; and,performing the lift-out of the sample from the specimen inside the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 29. The computer-readable medium of claim 24 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:selectively performing another sample lift-out and thinning before removing the cassette from the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 30. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis of a sample from a specimen for analysis, in an apparatus comprising: a nano-manipulator probe; the nano-manipulator probe having a probe tip, a cassette for receiving probe tips, and an ion-beam source; the method comprising:performing lift-out of the sample from the specimen;where the sample is attached to the probe tip;depositing the probe tip and sample in the cassette; and,thinning the sample with the ion beam for TEM inspection. 31. The computer-readable medium of claim 30 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:obtaining coordinates of the sample on the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the probe tip;computing the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip;moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is less than a predetermined distance;moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample;excising the sample from the specimen;attaching the sample to the probe tip. 32. The computer-readable medium of claim 30 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a strain gauge. 33. The computer-readable medium, of claim 30 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a light detector. 34. The computer-readable medium of claim 30 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:providing a focused ion-beam instrument; and,performing the lift-out of the sample from the specimen inside the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 35. The computer-readable medium of claim 34 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:selectively performing another sample lift-out and thinning before removing the cassette from the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 36. The apparatus of claim 1, where the means far detecting when the probe makes contact with a surface further comprises:the computer-readable instructions further comprising an image-recognition process for detecting when the probe makes contact with a surface. 37. An apparatus for performing automated in-situ lift-out of a sample from a specimen, the apparatus comprising:a focused ion beam instrument;a computer; the computer further comprising:a memory;the memory holding computer-readable instructions;a stage for a specimen;the stage for a specimen disposed within the focused ion beam instrument;the stage connected to one or more stage motion controllersthe stage motion controllers connected to the computer;an electron-beam source;the electron-beam source operatively connected to the computer;an ion-beam, source;the ion-beam source operatively connected to the computer;a nano-manipulator;the nano-manipulator connected to one or more nano-manipulator controllers;the nano-manipulator motion controllers connected to the computer;the nano-manipulator having a probe tip;an image-recognition system for detecting when the probe tip makes contact with a surface; and,the computer-readable instructions comprising instructions to cause the stage motion controllers, the nano-manipulator motion controllers, and the ion-beam source to automatically perform in-situ lift-out of a sample from the specimen. 38. The method of claim 13 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is zero. 39. The method of claim 19 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is zero. 40. The computer-readable medium of claim 25 where the method for implementing automated in-sit lift-out and analysis further comprises:moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is zero. 41. The computer-readable medium of claim 31 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is zero. 42. A method for preparing a sample from a specimen for analysis, in an apparatus comprising: a nano-manipulator probe; the nano-manipulator probe having a probe tip, a cassette for receiving probe tips, and an ion-beam source; the method comprising:performing lift-out of the sample from the specimen;where the step of performing lift-out of the sample further comprises:excising the sample from the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the sample area on the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the probe tip;computing the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip;moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is less than a predetermined distance;moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample;attaching the sample to the probe tip;thinning the sample with the ion beam for TEM inspection; and,depositing the probe tip and sample in the cassette. 43. The method of claim 42 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a strain gauge. 44. The method of claim 42 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a light detector. 45. The method of claim 42 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact with the sample is made further comprises:moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is zero. 46. The method of claim 42 further comprising:providing a focused ion-beam instrument; and,performing the lift-out of the sample from the specimen inside the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 47. The method of claim 46 further comprising:selectively performing another sample lift-out and thinning before removing the cassette from the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 48. A method for preparing a sample from a specimen for analysis, in an apparatus comprising: a nano-manipulator probe; the nano-manipulator probe having a probe tip, a cassette for receiving probe tips, and an ion-beam source; the method comprising:performing lift-out of the sample from the specimen;where the performing of lift-out of the sample further comprises:excising the sample from the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the sample area on the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the probe tip;computing the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip;moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is less than a predetermined distance;moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact withh the sample;attaching the sample to the probe tip;depositing the probe tip and sample in the cassette; and,thinning the sample withh the ion beam for TEM inspection. 49. The method of claim 48 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact withh the sample is made further comprises:detecting contact withh the sample by measuring the output of a strain gauge. 50. The method of claim 48 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact withh the sample is made further comprises:detecting contact withh the sample by measuring the output of a light detector. 51. The method of claim 48 where the step of moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact withh the sample is made further comprises:moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is zero. 52. The method of claim 48 further comprising:providing a focused ion-beam instrument; and,performing the lift-out of the sample from the specimen inside the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 53. The method of claim 52 further comprising:selectively performing another sample lift-out and thinning before removing the cassette from the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 54. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis of a sample from a specimen in an apparatus comprising: a nano-manipulator probe; the nano-manipulator probe having a probe tip, a cassette for receiving probe tips, and an ion-beam source; the method comprising:performing lift-out of the sample from the specimen;where the performing of lift-out of the sample further comprises:excising the sample from the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the sample on the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the probe tip;computing the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip;moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is less then a predetermined distance;moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact withh the sample;attaching the sample to the probe tip;thinning the sample withh the ion beam for TEM inspection; and,depositing the probe tip and sample in the cassette. 55. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:detecting contact with the sample by measuring the output of a strain gauge. 56. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:detecting contact withh the sample by measuring the output of a light detector. 57. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is zero. 58. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:providing a focused ion-beam instrument; and,performing the lift-out of the sample from the specimen inside the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 59. The computer-readable medium of claim 58 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:selectively performing another sample lift-out and thinning before removing the cassette from the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 60. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis of a sample from a specimen in an apparatus comprising: a nano-manipulator probe; the nano-manipulator probe having a probe tip, a cassette for receiving probe tips, and an ion-beam source; the method comprising:performing lift-out of the sample from the specimen;where the performing of lift-out of the sample further comprises:excising the sample from the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the sample on the specimen;obtaining coordinates of the probe tip;computing the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip;moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is less than a predetermined distance;moving the probe tip toward the sample at a reduced speed until contact withh the sample;attaching the sample to the probe tip;depositing the probe tip and sample in the cassette; and,thinning the sample withh the ion beam for TEM inspection. 61. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:detecting contact withh the sample by measuring the output of a strain gauge. 62. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:detecting contact withh the sample by measuring the output of a light detector. 63. The computer-readable medium of claim 54 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:moving the probe tip toward the sample until the difference in coordinates of the sample and the probe tip is zero. 64. The computer-readable medium of claim 60 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:providing a focused ion-beam instrument; and,performing the lift-out of the sample from the specimen inside the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument. 65. The computer-readable medium of claim 64 where the method for implementing automated in-situ lift-out and analysis further comprises:selectively performing another sample lift-out and thinning before removing the cassette from the chamber of the focused ion-beam instrument.