Journal Article

Using Xe Plasma FIB for High-Quality TEM Sample Preparation

Sugar, Joshua D., Vitale, Suzy M.

2022

Overview

A direct comparison between electron transparent transmission electron microscope (TEM) samples prepared with gallium (Ga) and xenon (Xe) focused ion beams (FIBs) is performed to determine if equivalent quality samples can be prepared with both ion species. We prepared samples using Ga FIB and Xe plasma focused ion beam (PFIB) while altering a variety of different deposition and milling parameters. The samples’ final thicknesses were evaluated using STEM-EELS t/λ data. Using the Ga FIB sample as a standard, we compared the Xe PFIB samples to the standard and to each other. We show that although the Xe PFIB sample preparation technique is quite different from the Ga FIB technique, it is possible to produce high-quality, large area TEM samples with Xe PFIB. We also describe best practices for a Xe PFIB TEM sample preparation workflow to enable consistent success for any thoughtful FIB operator. For Xe PFIB, we show that a decision must be made between the ultimate sample thickness and the size of the electron transparent region.

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press,Oxford University Press,Microscopy Society of America (MSA)
• Subject: Best practice / EELS / Failure analysis / FIB / Gallium / Investigations / Ion beams / Laboratories / Microscopy / OTHER INSTRUMENTATION / PFIB / Plasma / Sample preparation / Silicon wafers / Software and Instrumentation / TEM sample preparation / Thickness / Thin films / Transmission electron microscopy / Workflow / Xenon