Patent ID: 8274049

Claim:
A sample processing and observing method comprising: an observed surface forming step of irradiating a focused ion beam to the sample in a direction substantially parallel to an observed surface so as to remove a surface of the sample and exposing the observed surface; an observed image obtaining step of irradiating a charged particle beam to the observed surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the observed surface, detecting generated secondary charged particles, and forming an observed image; a lamella forming step of irradiating the focused ion beam to the sample in a direction substantially parallel to the observed surface, removing a surface opposite to the observed surface of the sample, and forming a lamella including the observed surface; and a transmission observed image obtaining step of irradiating the charged particle beam to the lamella in the direction substantially perpendicular to the observed surface, detecting transmitted charged particles which are transmitted through the lamella, and forming a transmission observed image.