Abstract: A method for sample examination in a dual-beam FIB calculates a first angle as a function of second, third and fourth angles defined by the geometry of the FIB and the tilt of the specimen stage. A fifth angle is calculated as a function of the stated angles, where the fifth angle is the angle between the long axis of an excised sample and the projection of the axis of the probe shaft onto the X-Y plane. The specimen stage is rotated by the calculated fifth angle, followed by attachment to the probe tip and lift-out. The sample may then be positioned perpendicular to the axis of the FIB electron beam for STEM analysis by rotation of the probe shaft through the first angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring sample milling in a charged-particle instrument has a variable-tilt specimen holder attached to the instrument tilt stage. The variable-tilt specimen holder includes a first pivoting plate having a slot for holding a specimen rotatably supported in the specimen holder. The first pivoting plate has a range of rotation sufficient to move the axis of thinning of the specimen from a first position where the tilt stage is placed at its maximum range of tilt and the angle between the preferred axis of thinning of the specimen and the axis of the ion beam column of the instrument is greater than zero, to a second position where the axis for thinning of the specimen is substantially parallel to the axis of the ion-beam column. A light detector intercepts light passing through the specimen as it is thinned to determine an endpoint for milling of the specimen.

Abstract: A method for sample examination in a dual-beam FIB calculates a first angle as a function of second, third and fourth angles defined by the geometry of the FIB and the tilt of the specimen stage. A fifth angle is calculated as a function of the stated angles, where the fifth angle is the angle between the long axis of an excised sample and the projection of the axis of the probe shaft onto the X-Y plane. The specimen stage is rotated by the calculated fifth angle, followed by attachment to the probe tip and lift-out. The sample may then be positioned perpendicular to the axis of the FIB electron beam for STEM analysis by rotation of the probe shaft through the first angle.

Abstract: A TEM sample holder is formed from at least one nano-manipulator probe tip and a TEM sample holder pre-form. The probe tip is permanently attached to the TEM sample-holder pre-form to create a TEM sample holder before attachment of a sample to the point of the probe tip inside a FIB. In the preferred embodiment the probe tip is attached to the TEM sample holder pre-form by applying pressure to the pre-form and the probe tip, so as to cause plastic flow of the pre-form material about the probe tip. The TEM sample holder may have smaller dimensions than the TEM sample holder pre-form; in this case the TEM sample holder is cut from the larger TEM sample holder pre-form, preferably in the same operation as attaching the probe tip.

Abstract: A method for sample examination in a dual-beam FIB calculates a first angle as a function of second, third and fourth angles defined by the geometry of the FIB and the tilt of the specimen stage. A fifth angle is calculated as a function of the stated angles, where the fifth angle is the angle between the long axis of an excised sample and the projection of the axis of the probe shaft onto the X-Y plane. The specimen stage is rotated by the calculated fifth angle, followed by attachment to the probe tip and lift-out. The sample may then be positioned perpendicular to the axis of the FIB electron beam for STEM analysis by rotation of the probe shaft through the first angle.

Abstract: A method for sample examination in a dual-beam FIB calculates a first angle as a function of second, third and fourth angles defined by the geometry of the FIB and the tilt of the specimen stage. A fifth angle is calculated as a function of the stated angles, where the fifth angle is the angle between the long axis of an excised sample and the projection of the axis of the probe shaft onto the X-Y plane. The specimen stage is rotated by the calculated fifth angle, followed by attachment to the probe tip and lift-out. The sample may then be positioned perpendicular to the axis of the FIB electron beam for STEM analysis by rotation of the probe shaft through the first angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring sample milling in a charged-particle instrument has a variable-tilt specimen holder (130) attached to the instrument tilt stage (120). The variable-tilt specimen holder (130) includes a first pivoting plate (260) having a slot (280) for holding a specimen (290) rotatably supported in the variable-tilt specimen holder (130). The first pivoting plate (260) has a range of rotation sufficient to move the preferred axis of thinning of the specimen (290) from a first position where the tilt stage (120) is placed at its maximum range of tilt and the angle between the preferred axis of thinning of the specimen (290) and the axis of the ion beam column (110) of the instrument is greater than zero, to a second position where the preferred axis for thinning of the specimen (290) is substantially parallel to the axis of the ion-beam column (110). A light detector (250) is positioned to intercept light passing through the specimen (290) as it is thinned by ion-beam milling.

Abstract: A method for sample examination in a dual-beam FIB calculates a first angle as a function of second, third and fourth angles defined by the geometry of the FIB and the tilt of the specimen stage. A fifth angle is calculated as a function of the stated angles, where the fifth angle is the angle between the long axis of an excised sample and the projection of the axis of the probe shaft onto the X-Y plane. The specimen stage is rotated by the calculated fifth angle, followed by attachment to the probe tip and lift-out. The sample may then be positioned perpendicular to the axis of the FIB electron beam for STEM analysis by rotation of the probe shaft through the first angle.

Abstract: We disclose a method of electron-beam induced of etching the surface of a specimen in a charged-particle beam instrument, where the charged-particle beam instrument has first and second laser beams, an electron beam, and a gas-injection system for applying etchant gas to the surface. Etching is accomplished by applying a photolytic pulse from the first laser to the surface; applying a pyrolytic pulse from the second laser to the surface; and, applying an etchant gas to the surface at least during the pyrolytic pulse. Two or more alternating pyrolytic laser pulses and photolytic laser pulses may be applied to the surface. The stage supporting the specimen may be tilted relative to the axis of the electron beam before applying the electron beam to the surface of the specimen. The electron beam is applied to the surface of the specimen during the time the etchant gas is present at the surface.

Abstract: Methods for testing flip-chip packages includes aligning a microscope and a test engine. The package under test is placed between the microscope and the test engine, and an acoustic transducer is attached to the package under test. The test engine delivers an impact to the package under test on the side of the package opposite its ball-grid array. Acoustic information and image information from the package under test is recorded. In alternate embodiments, a sequence of packages may be automatically tested.

Abstract: We disclose method for materials deposition on a surface inside an energetic-beam instrument, where the energetic beam instrument is provided with a laser beam, an electron beam, and a source of precursor gas. The electron beam is focused on the surface, and the laser beam is focused to a focal point that is at a distance above the surface of about 5 microns to one mm, preferably from 5 to 50 microns. The focal point of the laser beam will thus be within the stream of precursor gas injected at the sample surface, so that the laser beam will facilitate reactions in this gas cloud with less heating of the surface. A second laser may be used for cleaning the surface.

Abstract: A TEM sample holder is formed from at least one nano-manipulator probe tip and a TEM sample holder pre-form. The probe tip is permanently attached to the TEM sample-holder pre-form to create a TEM sample holder before attachment of a sample to the point of the probe tip inside a FIB. In the preferred embodiment the probe tip is attached to the TEM sample holder pre-form by applying pressure to the pre-form and the probe tip, so as to cause plastic flow of the pre-form material about the probe tip. The TEM sample holder may have smaller dimensions than the TEM sample holder pre-form; in this case the TEM sample holder is cut from the larger TEM sample holder pre-form, preferably in the same operation as attaching the probe tip.

Abstract: Methods for testing flip-chip packages includes aligning a microscope and a test engine. The package under test is placed between the microscope and the test engine, and an acoustic transducer is attached to the package under test. The test engine delivers an impact to the package under test on the side of the package opposite its ball-grid array. Acoustic information and image information from the package under test is recorded. In alternate embodiments, a sequence of packages may be automatically tested.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing flip-chip packages has a programmed computer, a test-engine stage for applying an impact to at least one package under test, and a monitoring stage. The test-engine stage causes an impact on the package on the side opposite its ball-grid array. The test-engine stage has actuators connected to the test-engine stage and the computer, for moving and aligning the test-engine stage. The monitoring stage has a digital camera connected to the computer for transmitting digital images from the ball-grid array side of the package to the computer. A microscope is preferably connected to the digital camera. A sample stage located between the test-engine stage and the monitoring stage holds the package under test. The sample stage has an acoustic transducer capable of being removably connected to the package under test. The acoustic transducer is connected to the computer for transmitting signals from the acoustic transducer to the computer.

Abstract: A method for sample examination in a dual-beam FIB calculates a first angle as a function of second, third and fourth angles defined by the geometry of the FIB and the tilt of the specimen stage. A fifth angle is calculated as a function of the stated angles, where the fifth angle is the angle between the long axis of an excised sample and the projection of the axis of the probe shaft onto the X-Y plane. The specimen stage is rotated by the calculated fifth angle, followed by attachment to the probe tip and lift-out. The sample may then be positioned perpendicular to the axis of the FIB electron beam for STEM analysis by rotation of the probe shaft through the first angle.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing automated in-situ lift-out of a sample from a specimen includes a computer having a memory with computer-readable instructions, a stage for a specimen and a nano-manipulator. The stage and the nano-manipulator are controlled by motion controllers connected to the computer. The nano-manipulator has a probe tip for attachment to samples excised from the specimen. The computer-readable instructions include instructions to cause the stage motion controllers and the nano-manipulator motion controllers, as well as an ion-beam source, to automatically perform in-situ lift-out of a sample from the specimen.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and method for detecting probe-tip contact with a surface, generally inside a focused ion-beam instrument, where the probe tip is attached to a capsule, and the capsule is movably secured in a probe shaft. There is a fiber-optic cable having a first end and a second end; a beam splitter having first and second output ports; and a light source connected to the beam splitter. The first output port of the beam splitter is connected to the first end of the fiber-optic cable, and the second output port of the beam splitter is connected to a photodiode. The second end of the fiber-optic cable has a mirror for reflecting incident light at approximately a ninety-degree angle to the axis of the optical path in the fiber-optic cable and onto the capsule, so that the intensity of the light reflected back from the capsule through the fiber-optic cable is proportional to the deflection of the capsule as the probe tip makes contact with the surface.

Abstract: A TEM sample holder is formed from at least one nano-manipulator probe tip and a TEM sample holder pre-form. The probe tip is permanently attached to the TEM sample-holder pre-form to create a TEM sample holder before attachment of a sample to the probe tip inside a FIB. In the preferred embodiment the probe tip is attached to the TEM sample holder pre-form by applying pressure to the pre-form and the probe tip, so as to cause plastic flow of the pre-form material about the probe tip. The TEM sample holder may have smaller dimensions than the TEM sample holder pre-form; in this case the TEM sample holder is cut from the larger TEM sample holder pre-form, preferably in the same operation as attaching the probe tip.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing flip-chip packages has a programmed computer, a test-engine stage for applying an impact to at least one package under test, and a monitoring stage. The test-engine stage causes an impact on the package on the side opposite its ball-grid array. The test-engine stage has actuators connected to the test-engine stage and the computer, for moving and aligning the test-engine stage. The monitoring stage has a digital camera connected to the computer for transmitting digital images from the ball-grid array side of the package to the computer. A microscope is preferably connected to the digital camera. A sample stage located between the test-engine stage and the monitoring stage holds the package under test. The sample stage has an acoustic transducer capable of being removably connected to the package under test. The acoustic transducer is connected to the computer for transmitting signals from the acoustic transducer to the computer.

Abstract: A method for sample examination in a dual-beam FIB calculates a first angle as a function of second, third and fourth angles defined by the geometry of the FIB and the tilt of the specimen stage. A fifth angle is calculated as a function of the stated angles, where the fifth angle is the angle between the long axis of an excised sample and the projection of the axis of the probe shaft onto the X-Y plane. The specimen stage is rotated by the calculated fifth angle, followed by attachment to the probe tip and lift-out. The sample may then be positioned perpendicular to the axis of the FIB electron beam for STEM analysis by rotation of the probe shaft through the first angle.