In situ lift-out: steps to improve yield and a comparison with other FIB TEM sample preparation techniques.

ABSTRACT

Steps to improve the success yield of the in situ lift-out technique are presented. These include tapping the plinth of the system and monitoring the grounding current to check the lift-out needle is fixed to the material being removed. In addition, the relative success yields and the time to prepare a TEM lamella for the three main FIB methods are discussed and compared.