For TEM, the adjustable angle of the tripod forms wedge samples that provide a wider region of view than other common techniques. The wedge is thin enough to analyze without ion milling, avoiding differential milling effects. Rapid thinning of circular areas of hard samples is done using a dimple grinder and diamond abrasives.
Final thinning is done using ion milling.
Techniques Thin sections of soft materials, such as polymers or biological materials can be prepared quickly. Particulate samples are prepared by dispersion over thin substrate films for observation.