Patent ID: 6884362

Claim:
A method for making an integrated TEM sample holder with a sample, comprising: a. providing a semiconductor wafer having a top surface with a viewing site and a substantially parallel bottom surface; b. defining on the top surface of the semiconductor wafer an area of substantially rectangular shape containing the viewing site and dimensioned suitably for engaging a TEM double-tilt holder; c. depositing a metallic layer in the viewing-site area with a focused ion-beam means; d. shaping a base of the integrated TEM sample holder for engaging a TEM double-tilt holder including the steps of: i. mechanically severing from the semiconductor wafer a portion of semiconductor material having a first top surface containing the viewing site and a opposing bottom surface area corresponding to the rectangular-shaped area and four sidewalls substantially perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface, and; ii. mechanically removing a portion of semiconductor material downwardly from the first top surface to create a narrow center portion extending upwardly from the base of the sample holder, the center portion having two substantially parallel sidewalls substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface; and e. thinning a portion of the center-portion material with a reactive ion etching means downwardly from the top surface of the TEM holder adjacent to the metallic film to form the sample.