title: Fast and simple specimen preparation for TEM studies of oxide films deposited on silicon wafers.
abstract: We present a fast and simple method to prepare specimens for transmission electron microscopy studies of oxide thin films deposited on silicon substrates. The method consists of scratching the film surface using a pointed diamond tip, in a special manner. Small and thin fragments are then detached from the film and its substrate. Depending on the scratching direction, the fragments can be used for plan-view or cross-section imaging. High-resolution images can be also obtained from thin edges of the film fragments. The method is demonstrated in the case of HfO2 sol-gel films deposited on [100] Si wafer substrates.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Material Physics, 105 bis Atomistilor Street, R-077125, Bucharest-Măgurele, Romania. teoval@infim.ro
authors.forename: Valentin S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Teodorescu
authors.forename: Marie-Genevieve
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Blanchin