Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system which allows complicated manipulations of a sample for STEM or TEM imaging without requiring so much sample handling that the sample is destroyed.SOLUTION: There is provided a system and a method for in situ sample preparation and imaging. The system includes a multi-axis stage 100 having a bulk stage 110 and a grid stage 150 with various degrees of freedom to allow sample preparation. In some embodiments, a focused ion beam system is used to prepare a lamella on the bulk stage 110. The lamella can then be transferred to the grid stage 150 from the bulk stage 110 without needing to move the multi-axis stage 100 from a focused ion beam system.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample carrier (10) for a transmission electron microscope, capable of solving a problem of shadowing that occurs when sample carriers according to a conventional art, such as a half-moon grid in combination with a detector detecting, for example, X rays emitted at a large emittance angle, are used, while similar problems also occur when tomography in which a sample is rotated over a large angle is performed.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a solution to shadowing by forming a part (16) of a grid into a tapering shape, the grid bordering the interface between a sample and the grid.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method capable of more satisfactorily performing translucent charged-particle microscope observation of a sample including a relatively fine volume structure.SOLUTION: In order to perform tomographic imaging of a sample by means of a charged-particle microscope, the method includes the steps of: irradiating a sample on a tilted sample holder with a beam of charged particles, detecting the translucent beam at an image detector, and generating and capturing an image of the sample; repeating this procedure at each of a series of sample tilts so as to acquire a corresponding set of images; and mathematically processing the images included in the set in a reconfiguration step to construct a composite image of the sample. In the imaging step, a sequence of component images can be acquired at a corresponding sequence of focus settings regarding the given sample tilt. In the reconfiguration step, a plurality of component images in the sequence of component images are used with at least one tilt of the series of sample tilts in the step of mathematically processing the images. As a result, a 3D imaging cube rather than a 2D imaging sheet is rendered at the given sample tilt.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charged-particle apparatus capable of being configured as a scanning electron microscope and a scanning transmission electron microscope.SOLUTION: A configurable charged-particle apparatus 100 comprises: a charged particle column 102 that includes a charged particle source 104 and a magnetic immersion lens 107 including a first lens pole 108; an excitation coil 110 surrounding the first lens pole 108; a first stage 112 on which a sample 114 can be mounted; and one or more detectors 116, 118 for detecting radiation emanating from the sample. The immersion lens 107 has a magnetic circuit capable of at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration has a second lens pole 120 far removed so as not to influence the sample image while the sample is mounted on the first stage 112. The second configuration has the second lens pole 120 mounted on the first stage 112 and has a second stage 130 to position the sample 114 between the first lens pole 108 and the second lens pole 120.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite lens comprising an electron detector for giving information on energy and/or angle distribution of back scattering electrons.SOLUTION: A composite objective lens for a scanning electron microscope comprises: a conventional magnetic lens which is excited by a first lens coil; an immersion magnetic lens which is excited by a second lens coil; and an immersion electrostatic lens which is excited by a potential difference between a specimen 100 and an electrode 114. An electron beam 102 is converged on the specimen 100 by combining excitation of the first lens coil and the second lens coil. An excitation ratio of the first lens coil and the second lens coil is adjusted, thereby changing a distance from an optical axis in the case where back scattering electrons collide with an electron detector. Thus, a composite lens comprising a pixelated electron detector or an electron detector formed from annular bodies 205, 206, 207 for detecting back scattering electrons 202, 203, 204 is functioned as an energy selection detector.