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Zhong XL, Haigh SJ, Zhou X, Withers PJ. An in-situ method for protecting internal cracks/pores from ion beam damage and reducing curtaining for TEM sample preparation using FIB. Ultramicroscopy 2020; 219:113135. [PMID: 33129062 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2020.113135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Focused ion beam (FIB) milling has evolved to be one of the most important Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) site specific sample preparation techniques. However, this technique still poses challenges, such as the structural damage and potential curtaining issues often observed for thin TEM lamella. These artefacts can negatively affect the TEM analysis results. In particular, structures such as internal cracks and pores in FIB prepared TEM samples can often be damaged during sample preparation. This is commonly regarded as an unavoidable problem, even though microstructurally intact thin lamellae TEM samples are widely needed for the investigation of crack tips or pore morphologies in many different materials. This presents a strong driver for the development of innovative methods to overcome damage and curtaining issues during FIB sample preparation. Here we report on a new methodology developed to protect internal cracks and pores from ion beam damage. Our proposed method also mitigates curtaining issues, which often make TEM analysis more difficult. This method uses the FIB to sputter and redeposit material onto the edges of any cracks or pores in order to fill these features in-situ prior to lamella thinning. Case studies showcasing this method are presented, demonstrating the approach on a modular pure iron sample and on a porous laser treated Al/B4C composite sample. Our proposed 'filling' method has demonstrated a two key benefits; it preserves the integrity of the edges of any cracks and pores and it reducing curtaining. The results also demonstrate that this technique can be an alternative to conventional Gas Injection System (GIS) deposition for protecting the external top surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Li Zhong
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK; Henry Royce Institute, Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Sarah J Haigh
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Xiaorong Zhou
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Philip J Withers
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK; Henry Royce Institute, Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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2
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Seo J, Hwang KJ, Baik SI, Lee S, Cho B, Jo E, Choi M, Hahm MG, Kim YJ. Three-Dimensional Atomistic Tomography of W-Based Alloyed Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:30640-30648. [PMID: 30117322 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b09604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Increased interest in two-dimensional (2D) materials and heterostructures for use as components of electrical devices has led to the use of an atomically mixed phase between semiconducting and metallic transition metal dichalcogenides that exhibited enhanced interfacial characteristics. To understand the lattice structure and properties of 2D materials on the atomic scale, diverse characterization methods such as Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) have been applied. However, determination of the exact chemical distribution, which is a critical factor for the interfacial layer, was hindered by limitations of these typical methods. In this work, atom-probe tomography (APT) was introduced for the first time to analyze the three-dimensional atomic distribution and composition variation of the atomic-scale multilayered alloy structure W xNb(1- x)Se2. Composition profiles and theoretical calculations for each atom demonstrated the reaction kinetics and stoichiometric inhomogeneity of the W xNb(1- x)Se2 layer. The role of the intermediate layer was investigated by fabrication of a WSe2-based field-effect transistor. Introduction of W xNb(1- x)Se2 between metallic NbSe2 and semiconducting WSe2 layers resulted in improved charge transport with lowering of the contact barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juyeon Seo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Inha University , 100 Inha-ro , Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212 , Republic of Korea
| | - Kyo-Jin Hwang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Inha University , 100 Inha-ro , Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212 , Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Il Baik
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
- Northwestern University Center for Atom-Probe Tomography (NUCAPT) , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , United States
| | - Suryeon Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Inha University , 100 Inha-ro , Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212 , Republic of Korea
| | - Byungjin Cho
- Department of Advanced Materials Engineering , Chungbuk National University , 1 Chungdae-ro , Seowon-gu, Cheongju , Chungbuk 28644 , Republic of Korea
| | - Euihyun Jo
- Department of Physics , Inha University , 100 Inha-ro , Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212 , Republic of Korea
| | - Minseok Choi
- Department of Physics , Inha University , 100 Inha-ro , Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212 , Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Gwan Hahm
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Inha University , 100 Inha-ro , Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212 , Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Jun Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Inha University , 100 Inha-ro , Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212 , Republic of Korea
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3
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Optimized pre-thinning procedures of ion-beam thinning for TEM sample preparation by magnetorheological polishing. Ultramicroscopy 2017; 181:165-172. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2017.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Baik SI, Ma L, Kim YJ, Li B, Liu M, Isheim D, Yakobson BI, Ajayan PM, Seidman DN. An Atomistic Tomographic Study of Oxygen and Hydrogen Atoms and their Molecules in CVD Grown Graphene. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2015; 11:5968-5974. [PMID: 26450564 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201501679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The properties and growth processes of graphene are greatly influenced by the elemental distributions of impurity atoms and their functional groups within or on the hexagonal carbon lattice. Oxygen and hydrogen atoms and their functional molecules (OH, CO, and CO2 ) positions' and chemical identities are tomographically mapped in three dimensions in a graphene monolayer film grown on a copper substrate, at the atomic part-per-million (atomic ppm) detection level, employing laser assisted atom-probe tomography. The atomistic plan and cross-sectional views of graphene indicate that oxygen, hydrogen, and their co-functionalities, OH, CO, and CO2 , which are locally clustered under or within the graphene lattice. The experimental 3D atomistic portrait of the chemistry is combined with computational density-functional theory (DFT) calculations to enhance the understanding of the surface state of graphene, the positions of the chemical functional groups, their interactions with the underlying Cu substrate, and their influences on the growth of graphene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Il Baik
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Northwestern University Center for Atom-Probe Tomography (NUCAPT), Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Lulu Ma
- Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Yoon-Jun Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 402-751, KOREA
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Mingjie Liu
- Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Dieter Isheim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Northwestern University Center for Atom-Probe Tomography (NUCAPT), Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
| | - Boris I Yakobson
- Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Pulickel M Ajayan
- Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - David N Seidman
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Northwestern University Center for Atom-Probe Tomography (NUCAPT), Evanston, 60208, IL, USA
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Sáfrán G, Szász N, Sáfrán E. Two-In-one sample preparation for plan-VIew TEM. Microsc Res Tech 2015; 78:599-602. [DOI: 10.1002/jemt.22513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- György Sáfrán
- Centre for Energy Research, Institute for Technical Physics and Materials Science; Konkoly Thege M. street 29-33. H-1121 Budapest Hungary
| | - Noémi Szász
- Centre for Energy Research, Institute for Technical Physics and Materials Science; Konkoly Thege M. street 29-33. H-1121 Budapest Hungary
| | - Eszter Sáfrán
- Centre for Energy Research, Institute for Technical Physics and Materials Science; Konkoly Thege M. street 29-33. H-1121 Budapest Hungary
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O'Shea KJ, McGrouther D, Ferguson CA, Jungbauer M, Hühn S, Moshnyaga V, MacLaren DA. Fabrication of high quality plan-view TEM specimens using the focused ion beam. Micron 2014; 66:9-15. [PMID: 25080271 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2014.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We describe a technique using a focused ion beam instrument to fabricate high quality plan-view specimens for transmission electron microscopy studies. The technique is simple, site-specific and is capable of fabricating multiple large, >100 μm(2) electron transparent windows within epitaxially grown thin films. A film of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 is used to demonstrate the technique and its structural and functional properties are surveyed by high resolution imaging, electron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and Lorentz electron microscopy. The window is demonstrated to have good thickness uniformity and a low defect density that does not impair the film's Curie temperature. The technique will enable the study of in-plane structural and functional properties of a variety of epitaxial thin film systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J O'Shea
- SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - D McGrouther
- SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - C A Ferguson
- SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - M Jungbauer
- University of Gottingen, Institute Physics 1, Friedrich Hund Pl 1, D-37077 Gottingen, Germany
| | - S Hühn
- University of Gottingen, Institute Physics 1, Friedrich Hund Pl 1, D-37077 Gottingen, Germany
| | - V Moshnyaga
- University of Gottingen, Institute Physics 1, Friedrich Hund Pl 1, D-37077 Gottingen, Germany
| | - D A MacLaren
- SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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Luna E, Grandal J, Gallardo E, Calleja JM, Sánchez-García MÁ, Calleja E, Trampert A. Investigation of III-V nanowires by plan-view transmission electron microscopy: InN case study. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2014; 20:1471-1478. [PMID: 25156830 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927614013038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We discuss observations of InN nanowires (NWs) by plan-view high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The main difficulties arise from suitable methods available for plan-view specimen preparation. We explore different approaches and find that the best results are obtained using a refined preparation method based on the conventional procedure for plan-view TEM of thin films, specifically modified for the NW morphology. The fundamental aspects of such a preparation are the initial mechanical stabilization of the NWs and the minimization of the ion-milling process after dimpling the samples until perforation. The combined analysis by plan-view and cross-sectional TEM of the NWs allows determination of the degree of strain relaxation and reveals the formation of an unintentional shell layer (2-3-nm thick) around the InN NWs. The shell layer is composed of bcc In2O3 nanocrystals with a preferred orientation with respect to the wurtzite InN: In2O3 [111] || InN [0001] and In2O3<110>||InN<1120>.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Luna
- 1Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik,Hausvogteiplatz 5-7,D-10117 Berlin,Germany
| | - Javier Grandal
- 1Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik,Hausvogteiplatz 5-7,D-10117 Berlin,Germany
| | - Eva Gallardo
- 1Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik,Hausvogteiplatz 5-7,D-10117 Berlin,Germany
| | - José M Calleja
- 2Departamento de Física de Materiales,Universidad Autónoma de Madrid,E-28049 Madrid,Spain
| | - Miguel Á Sánchez-García
- 3ISOM and Departamento Ingeniería Electrónica,ETSI Telecomunicación,Universidad Politécnica de Madrid,E-28040 Madrid,Spain
| | - Enrique Calleja
- 3ISOM and Departamento Ingeniería Electrónica,ETSI Telecomunicación,Universidad Politécnica de Madrid,E-28040 Madrid,Spain
| | - Achim Trampert
- 1Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik,Hausvogteiplatz 5-7,D-10117 Berlin,Germany
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Lenrick F, Ek M, Jacobsson D, Borgström MT, Wallenberg LR. FIB plan and side view cross-sectional TEM sample preparation of nanostructures. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2014; 20:133-140. [PMID: 24229472 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927613013780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Focused ion beam is a powerful method for cross-sectional transmission electron microscope sample preparation due to being site specific and not limited to certain materials. It has, however, been difficult to apply to many nanostructured materials as they are prone to damage due to extending from the surface. Here we show methods for focused ion beam sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy analysis of such materials, demonstrated on GaAs-GaInP core shell nanowires. We use polymer resin as support and protection and are able to produce cross-sections both perpendicular to and parallel with the substrate surface with minimal damage. Consequently, nanowires grown perpendicular to the substrates could be imaged both in plan and side view, including the nanowire-substrate interface in the latter case. Using the methods presented here we could analyze the faceting and homogeneity of hundreds of adjacent nanowires in a single lamella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Lenrick
- nCHREM/Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Ek
- nCHREM/Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Jacobsson
- Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Magnus T Borgström
- Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - L Reine Wallenberg
- nCHREM/Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
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