Patent ID: 6934920

Claim:
A sample analysis method, comprising the steps of: using a first device to obtain position information for a plurality of reference points on a surface of a sample; using the first device to obtain position information for an object on the surface of the sample to be analyzed; dividing the sample into a plurality of separate sample pieces utilizing the obtained position information for the reference points and the object so that a preselected one of the sample pieces includes the reference points and the object; mounting the preselected sample piece on a second device; measuring a position of each of the reference points on a surface of the preselected sample piece using the second device; specifying the position of the object on the surface of the preselected sample piece using the measured positions of the reference points on the surface of the preselected sample piece and the position information for the object obtained using the first device; and analyzing the object on the surface of the preselected sample piece in accordance with the specified position thereof using the second device.