Abstract: A method and an apparatus for micromachining samples are provided. The apparatus includes an integral combination of a sample holder, a focused ion beam (FIB) exposure system for projecting a FIB onto a sample, and a light optical microscope (LM). The LM is configured for imaging or monitoring the sample during and/or after FIB exposure. The method includes the steps of using the LM projecting light towards the sample and collecting reflected and/or transmitted light from said sample; analyzing the collected light and establishing a measure for the modulation of an intensity of said collected light due to an optical interference of light from a first surface of the sample and light from a second surface of the sample; and using the measure for the modulation of the intensity for establishing a measure for the distance between said first surface and said second surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric structures, in the form of flat membrane-like surfaces or micro- nanostruc-tures such as capsules, characterized in that it comprises a substantially two-dimensional layer of covalently-bonded monomers of R-substituted metal or metalloid oxides. Said polymeric structures in most embodiments have a crystal architecture with a hexagonal lattice, but the nature of the covalent bonds present therein impart a bending flexibility that make the polymeric structures behave as a “soft” crystal. Methods of producing such structures, composition comprising thereof and method of using thereof are also included within the present disclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric structures, in the form of flat membrane-like surfaces or micro- nanostruc-tures such as capsules, characterized in that it comprises a substantially two-dimensional layer of covalently-bonded monomers of R-substituted metal or metalloid oxides. Said polymeric structures in most embodiments have a crystal architecture with a hexagonal lattice, but the nature of the covalent bonds present therein impart a bending flexibility that make the polymeric structures behave as a “soft” crystal. Methods of producing such structures, composition comprising thereof and method of using thereof are also included within the present disclosure.