The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 16, 2014
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2013
Applicant:
Fei Company, Hillsboro, OR (US);
Inventors:
Ronald Kelley, Portland, OR (US);
Michael Moriarty, Portland, OR (US);
Stacey Stone, Brno, CZ;
Jeffrey Blackwood, Portland, OR (US);
Assignee:
FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 23/00 (2006.01); B05D 3/04 (2006.01); H01J 37/305 (2006.01); H01L 21/02 (2006.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B05D 3/044 (2013.01); H01J 37/3056 (2013.01); G01N 2001/2886 (2013.01); G01N 1/286 (2013.01); H01L 21/02318 (2013.01); H01J 2237/31745 (2013.01);
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for preparing samples for observation in a charged particle beam system in a manner that reduces or prevents artifacts. Material is deposited onto the sample using charged particle beam deposition just before or during the final milling, which results in an artifact-free surface. Embodiments are useful for preparing cross sections for SEM observation of samples having layers of materials of different hardnesses. Embodiments are useful for preparation of thin TEM samples.