Abstract:
A method of preparing an ultra sharp tip, in particular a single atom tip, is provided, comprising providing a tip having a shank, an apex, and a coating covering the shank and the apex; locally removing the coating from the apex by field evaporation; and partially or fully restoring the coating at the apex.
Abstract:
A focused ion beam device is described comprising a gas field ion source with an analyzer for analyzing and classifying the structure of a specimen, a controller for controlling and/or modifying the structure of the specimen according to the analysis of the analyzer, an emitter tip, the emitter tip has a base tip comprising a first material and a supertip comprising a material different from the first material, wherein the supertip is a single atom tip and the base tip is a single crystal base tip. Furthermore, the focused ion beam device has a probe current control and a sample charge control. A method of operating a focused ion beam device is provided comprising applying a voltage between a single emission centre of the supertip and an electrode, supplying gas to the emitter tip, analyzing and classifying the structure of a specimen, and controlling the structure of the specimen.
Abstract:
In one aspect the invention provides a gas field ion microscope that includes an ion source in connection with an optical column, such that an ion beam generated at the ion source travels through the optical column and impinges on a sample. The ion source includes an emitter having a width that tapers to a tip comprising a few atoms. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for using the ion microscope to analyze samples and enhancing the performance of a gas field ion source.
Abstract:
A charged particle beam device is described. The device includes an emitter unit including an emitter tip; a voltage supply unit adapted for providing a stable voltage to generate a stable extraction field at the emitter tip; a pulsed voltage supply member adapted for providing a pulsed voltage to generate a pulsed extraction field on top of the stable extraction field; a measuring unit for measuring an emitter characteristic; and a control unit adapted for receiving a signal from the measuring unit and for control of the pulsed voltage supply member.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a charged particle beam apparatus with a charged particle beam source including an emitter with an emitter tip; and supporting member for supporting the emitter. Further, the apparatus includes an emitter location-measuring device for repeatedly measuring the location of the emitter; and a deflector system for compensating variations in the location of the emitter.