Reactive gas plasma specimen processing for use in microanalysis and imaging in analytical electron microscopy

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:537241

Zaluzec, N J; Kestel, B J ^[1]; Henriks, D ^[2]

---

1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Materials Science Div.
2. South Bay Technology Inc., San Clemente, CA (United States)

It has long been the bane of analytical electron microscopy (AEM) that the use of focused probes during microanalysis of specimens increases the local rate of hydrocarbon contamination. This is most succinctly observed by the formation of contamination deposits during focused probe work typical of AEM studies. While serving to indicate the location of the electron probe, the contamination obliterates the area of the specimen being analyzed and adversely affects all quantitative microanalysis methodologies. A variety of methods including: UV, electron beam flooding, heating and/or cooling can decrease the rate of contamination, however, none of these methods directly attack the source of specimen borne contamination. Research has shown that reactive gas plasmas may be used to clean both the specimen and stage for AEM, in this study the authors report on quantitative measurements of the reduction in contamination rates in an AEM as a function of operating conditions and plasma gases.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States); Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 537241
• Report Number(s): ANL/MSD/CP--92330; CONF-970834--26; ON: DE97008376; CNN: Contract FIN W6610
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
DEPOSITION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
HYDROCARBONS
IMPURITIES
MICROANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
PLASMA HEATING
SAMPLE PREPARATION