Practical Electron Microscopy and Database

An Online Book, Second Edition by Dr. Yougui Liao (2006)

Practical Electron Microscopy and Database - An Online Book

Chapter/Index: Introduction | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Appendix

Time-Efficiency/Speed of FIB Milling

FIB milling with a Ga ion beam has very high time-efficiency, for instance, a typical milling speed of 1 nm/min on a 10 μm x 20 μm area of silicon (Si) at 1 keV with 150 pA at 30° tilt. However, higher milling rates are not always better since lower rates produce smaller damage and more precise control of finishing time.

In general, collecting data from a volume of 1 x 105 µm3 with FIB milling with a Ga-ion beam requires several continuous days of automated data collection. Xe plasma focused ion beams (PFIBs) mill ten times faster than Ga FIBs.