Ion Thinning of Electron Transparent Single Crystal Sapphire Substrates
1974 ◽
Vol 32
◽
pp. 468-469
Keyword(s):
Ion Beam
◽
Samples of single crystal sapphire (α-Al2O3) have been ion-beam thinned to yield electron transparent regions suitable for use as substrates for in situ thin film growth experiments. Routine fabrication of 1 mm dia. samples containing one or more thin (∼200Å) regions ∼10μm2 in area was possible. The samples were surprisingly robust, many surviving post-thinning subdivision, mounting into a TEM environment cell, and heating to ∼1200°C.