Microscopy imaging method and system
First Claim
1. A method for cross-sectioning a sample with a preset thickness, comprising:
- providing a sample having x, y and z dimensions with at least first and second line structures on a surface of the sample defined by the z-x plane, the at least first and second line structures each extending from the x-y plane at known angles and having ends electronically detectable on a first from a cross-section surface of the sample defined by the x-y plane;
exposing a second cross-section surface defined by the x-y plane with a material removal tool, where an x dimension distance between ends of the at least first and second line structures exposed in each cross-sectioned surface changes along the z-dimension;
electronically calculating a first distance in the z-dimension between the first cross-section surface and the second cross-section surface based on a change in the x dimension distance and the angles;
automatically adjusting parameters to advance the material removal tool in the z dimension for exposing a third cross-section surface at a second distance in the z dimension from the second cross-section surface that is closer to the preset thickness than the first distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Notches or chevrons with known angles relative to each other are formed on a surface of the sample, where each branch of a chevron appears in a cross-sectional face of the sample as a distinct structure. Therefore, when imaging the cross-section face during the cross-sectioning operation, the distance between the identified structures allows unique identification of the position of the cross-section plane along the Z axis. Then a direct measurement of the actual position of each slice can be calculated, allowing for dynamic repositioning to account for drift in the plane of the sample and also dynamic adjustment of the forward advancement rate of the FIB to account for variations in the sample, microscope, microscope environment, etc. that contributes to drift. An additional result of this approach is the ability to dynamically calculate the actual thickness of each acquired slice as it is acquired.
36 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for cross-sectioning a sample with a preset thickness, comprising:
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providing a sample having x, y and z dimensions with at least first and second line structures on a surface of the sample defined by the z-x plane, the at least first and second line structures each extending from the x-y plane at known angles and having ends electronically detectable on a first from a cross-section surface of the sample defined by the x-y plane; exposing a second cross-section surface defined by the x-y plane with a material removal tool, where an x dimension distance between ends of the at least first and second line structures exposed in each cross-sectioned surface changes along the z-dimension; electronically calculating a first distance in the z-dimension between the first cross-section surface and the second cross-section surface based on a change in the x dimension distance and the angles;
automatically adjusting parameters to advance the material removal tool in the z dimension for exposing a third cross-section surface at a second distance in the z dimension from the second cross-section surface that is closer to the preset thickness than the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for cross-sectioning a sample with a preset thickness, comprising:
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a stage for supporting the sample, the sample having x, y and z dimensions with at least first and second line structures on a surface of the sample defined by the z-x plane, the at least first and second line structures each extending from the x-y plane at known angles and having ends electronically detectable on a first cross-section surface of the sample defined by the x-y plane; a material removal tool configured to expose a second cross-section surface defined by the x-y plane where an x dimension distance between ends of the at least first and second line structures exposed in each cross-sectioned surface changes along the z dimension; and
,a computer workstation configured to calculate a first distance in the z-dimension between the first cross-section surface and the second cross-section surface based on a change in the x dimension distance and the angles, and automatically adjust parameters to advance the material removal tool in a z-dimension for exposing a third cross-section surface at a second distance in the z dimension from the second cross-section surface that is closer to the preset thickness than the first distance. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification