Atom probe specimen preparation with a dual beam SEM/FIB miller

Dual beam scanning electron microscope/focused ion beam (SEM/FIB) methods complement electropolishing methods and enable specimens to be made from a wider range of materials. Several methods have been developed to fabricate specimens from different forms of materials, including thin ribbons, mechanically ground sheet and fine powders. In addition, FIB-based methods can be used in conjunction with electropolishing methods to improve the shape, surface finish and taper angle of specimens. Several lift-out (LO) methods have been developed for selecting specific microstructural features or other regions of interest such as phases, interfaces, grain boundaries, subsurface or implanted regions and interdendritic regions. These LO methods make use of an in situ nanomanipulator and platinum deposition to transfer and attach the lifted out volume to a post for final annular milling into a needle-shaped specimen. In order to improve the efficiency and to facilitate the LO procedure, some special specimen mounts that hold both the specimen and the support post at the appropriate working distance have been developed.