Practical Considerations in Atom Probe Tip Making Using FIB-SEM - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Practical Considerations in Atom Probe Tip Making Using FIB-SEM - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Practical Considerations in Atom Probe Tip Making Using FIB-SEM Nicholas Antoniou & Andrew Magyar Center for Nanoscale Systems Harvard University Outline The 3D Atom Probe Microscope Operation of the 3D Atom Probe Sample
Outline
- The 3D Atom Probe Microscope
- Operation of the 3D Atom Probe
- Sample requirements
- Prep Process
- Tricks and treats in making tips
- Examples
- Conclusion
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The 3D Atom Probe
- 3D location of the atoms in a sample plus chemical
identification; datasets of 106 – 108 atoms
- Lateral resolution ~ 0.5 nm, depth resolution ~0.2 nm
- Works with metals (HV mode) and sub-3 eV bandgap
semiconductors (Laser mode)
- In principle, complete chemical identification from entire
periodic table
- Prerequisites for sample analysis: rough estimate of
composition, conductivity, mechanical stability, and region of interest; sample must be free of cracks and vacuum stable
- Prerequisite instruments for sample prep: SEM, FIB with lift-
- ut capability, possibly electro-polishing (for metals)
The Tip is the Sample
- Ideal Tip
- 100-80 nm diameter
- Taper is material dependent. Thermal conductivity is an
- issue. A cylinder of 1-2 um tall 100-80 nm diameter
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The 3D Atom Probe
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Multi-component Samples
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The 3D Atom Probe Technique Dataset
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Si Ga
100 200 100 1000 10000
Counts Mass-to-Charge Ratio (Daltons) uncorrected
Milled at 30keV throughout, Ga implantation not useful
Bar Shape, Attach and Cap Material
- Right Angle Wedge vs Equilateral Wedge
– Prefer Right angle because of fewer interfaces in the sharpening reducing risk of fracture
- W stronger attach bond but less desirable for cap
- Pt weaker attach but more desirable for cap
- Carbon is not used for either
- Low acceleration clean up but at 10keV
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TOP
Sample Preparation
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Volume of interest
Right Angle Wedge Prep
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Sample Preparation
Making a Pyramid
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Sample Preparation
Final Annular Milling at ~ 45pA 10 keV FIB
Tip Made Out of Nanowire
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- Nanowire mounted on flat top
SiO2 cladded Si, with deposited Ni protective layer
Silicon hyperdoped with Au
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SiAu 6e15 implant Pulsed-Laser Melted with YAG 355
Conclusion
- The 3D Atom Probe is a very powerful analysis
tool that provides 3D location of the atoms in a sample plus chemical identification
- The sample prep requirements are demanding
- FIB-SEM is very well suited to prepare samples
especially site specific ones
- Correlating TEM to 3D Atom Probe improves
results
- Acknoledgements:
- Dr. A. Akey, Dr. M. Baram, and Peter Felfer
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcG9H3v3xW4
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