Patent ID: 6858851

Claim:
An apparatus for specimen fabrication comprising: a movable specimen stage for placing thereon a sample substrate; an energy-beam irradiating optical system for irradiating a processing beam to said sample substrate near a desired area thereof to cut out a micro-sample including said desired area of said sample substrate; a probe for contacting a portion thereof with said sample substrate near said desired area; probe-substrate connecting means for fixing together said probe and a portion of said sample substrate near said desired area; a micro-sample holder retainer for movably retaining a micro-sample holder supporting said micro-sample; a circuit for sending electric current to probe for applying a voltage across said probe and said micro-sample holder to perform current welding between said probe and said micro-sample holder; a probe driver for driving said probe; and a probe position controller for controlling said probe driver to cause said probe to approach said micro-sample holder.