FIB precision TEM sample preparation using carbon replica

A new precision transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) sample preparation method was developed and reported here. No mechanical polishing and grinding are needed. The main difference of this method over conventional method using focused ion beam (FIB) is that the sample sectioned with FIB can be extracted directly from the wafer site and transferred to a carbon supporting film for TEM examination. With this technique, a cross section TEM sample can be prepared easily and quickly, thus enhancing both productivity and turnaround time