Patent ID: 8304721

Claim:
A micro cross-section processing method that uses a focused ion beam system to irradiate a focused ion beam to a sample and performs cross-section processing on the sample, the method comprising: a processing-estimated-position determining step of determining a linear cross-section estimated position including an observation object on a surface of the sample; a cross-section processing step of irradiating the focused ion beam to the cross-section estimated position with the direction of launching perpendicular to or at a tilt angle to the surface of the sample to form a cross-section at a position in front of the cross-section estimated position; a side-cut processing step of irradiating the focused ion beam to both ends of the cross-section to form side cuts extending to a position in rear of the cross-section estimated position at both ends; a bottom-cut processing step of irradiating the focused ion beam to a position on the surface of the cross-section and at a position deeper than the observation object to form a bottom cut extending to a position in rear of the cross-section estimated position and connecting to the side cuts; a wedge processing step of irradiating the focused ion beam along from the side cuts to the cross-section estimated position to form wedges extending inwardly from both ends of the cross-section and connecting to the bottom cut; and an observation-cross-section processing step of applying impact to a region in front of the cross-section estimated position of the sample to cleave the vicinity of the cross-section estimated position between the wedges and form a plane of cleavage.