In Situ High-Temperature Cross-Sectional TEM Specimen Preparation

Abstract

We describe a technique for preparing transmission electron microscope (TEM) cross-sectional specimens for observation during in situ annealing to high temperatures. The process utilizes a ceramic adhesive that is stable to a temperature of 1650°C. The technique, which was successfully used to observe the recrystallization of amorphized silicon, is being applied to high-energy ion-implanted silicon in an attempt to better understand the amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation and defect formation mechanisms resulting from thermal processing.