Ion Beam Milling

Ion Beam Milling Systems

When material specimen surfaces are prepared for SEM or incident light microscopy, the specimen usually undergoes multiple processes until the layer or surface to be analyzed is machined with precision. Leica Microsystems’ workflow solutions for solid state technology cover all steps required for demanding high-quality sample preparation.

Need Assistance?

Contact our team of experts to help you simplify your EM sample preparation.

Simplify your EM Sample Preparation with workflow solutions by Leica Microsystems!

While the Leica EM TXP unites all steps of pre-preparation in one instrument, the Leica EM TIC 3X carries out the final, high quality surface finishing for almost any material. Connecting with the Leica EM VCT docking configuration, the sample can then be transferred into the (cryo) SEM under optimal conditions.

Enhanced Resolution with Ion Beam Milling

The Ion Beam Milling technique, also known as Ion Beam Etching, is used to achieve a well-prepared sample surface quality for high resolution imaging and analysis. It removes residual artefacts from mechanical cutting and polishing. The ion polished cross-sections and planar samples prepared by Ion Beam Etching can be used for electron microscopy imaging as well as microstructural analysis applications such as EDS, WDS, Auger and EBSD.

The EM TIC 3X Milling Machine offers triple ion beams that speed up the preparation process significantly and achieve to reveal finest details and structures on sample surfaces. Watch the video and see how to cut the preparation time for IC gold wire bonding using the Target Surfacing System EM TXP and the EM TIC 3X Ion Beam Milling System.

Cutting and Polishing

Preparation often begins with a need to accurately cut, grind and polish the surface prior to ion beam milling and metal/carbon coating. With the Leica EM TXP target preparation system all required machining steps can be completed in one instrument – from diamond cutting and milling to polishing.

High quality surfacing

The unique broad ion beam milling system of the Leica EM TIC 3X is the system of choice for EDS, WDS, Auger and EBSD, because ion beam milling is often found to be the only method capable of achieving high quality cross-sections and planed surfaces of almost any material. The process reveals the internal structures of a sample whilst minimizing deformation or damage.

ion beam milling related articles

Read our latest articles about Ion Beam Milling

The knowledge portal of Leica Microsystems offers scientific research and teaching material on the subjects of microscopy. The content is designed to support beginners, experienced practitioners and scientists alike in their everyday work and experiments.

More Articles
Adult human Alzheimer’s brain demonstrating a panel of 15 markers.

The Shape of the Brain: Spatial Biology of Alzheimer’s Disease

Uncover cell identity and brain structure in Alzheimer's disease with Cell DIVE multiplexed imaging, demonstrating how spatial biology can lead to advances in therapy development for…

Macroscale to Nanoscale Pore Analysis of Shale and Carbonate Rocks

Physical porosity in rocks, like shale and carbonate, has a large effect on the their storage capacity. The pore geometries also affect their permeability. Imaging the visible pore space provides…

Porous Ceramics - Sample Preparation for SEM

Application Note for Leica EM RES102 - Ceramic membrane filters with pore sizes down to a few nanometres must be investigated in cross-section with regard to the structure of the pores. The smallest…

Paper Samples - Sample Preparation for SEM

Application Note for Leica EM RES102 - A coated paper sample has been prepared with ion beam slope cutting in order to test the procedure with regard to its applicability. With the use of ion beam…

Bacteria Protocol - Critical Point Drying of E. coli for SEM

Application Note for Leica EM CPD300 - Critical point drying of E. coli with subsequent platinum / palladium coating and SEM analysis. Sample was inserted into a filter disc (Pore size: 16 - 40 μm)…

Ion Beam Polishing of Sample Surfaces - Sample Preparation for SEM

Application Note for Leica EM RES102 - Ion milling can be used to reduce the roughness of sample surfaces. Small angles less than 6° with respect to the sample surface are necessary. The high voltage…
Mouse liver (immersion fixed)

Epoxy Resin Embedding of Animal and Human Tissues for Pathological Diagnosis and Research

Application Note for Leica EM AMW - The tissues were fixed in the modified Karnovsky fixative generally by immersion overnight (at minimum 4h at room temperature). Then pieces of approx. 1mm3 were cut…

Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Vitreous Sections (CEMOVIS) of Yeast

Application Note for Leica EM HPM100 - The sections are of yeast frozen with a Leica HPM100 high pressure freezer in the copper tube system, the cell paste was mixed with a pH 6.5 MES/dextran buffer…

Human Blood Cells Protocol

Application Note for Leica EM CPD300 - Life Science Research. Species: Human (Homo sapiens) Critical point drying of human blood with subsequent platinum / palladium coating and SEM analysis.
Sputter Coater & Freeze Fracture Solutions

Sputter Coater & Freeze Fracture Solutions

To obtain high-quality images of samples with scanning (SEM) or transmission electron microscopy (TEM), your samples need to be conductive to avoid charging. If a sample does not have a high enough conductivity, then you can quickly cover it with a conductive layer using the method of sputter coating. Also, a carbon or e-beam evaporator coating can be used. Such coatings protect the sample, allow enhancing of the EM image contrast, or can act as a TEM-grid support film for small scale samples.

Read More

 Due to the open chamber design and continuous gas exchange the SampLink chambers keep live cells healthy

Cryo Preparation Systems

High pressure freezing is often the preferred method for preserving aqueous samples in their close-to-native state, as it captures the intricate changes in fine structure or cellular dynamics. Leica Microsystems combines high pressure freezing with light stimulation or electrical stimulation: It enables you to visualize highly dynamic processes or the structural changes of samples at a nanometer resolution and with millisecond precision.

Read More

Overview of Drosophila gastric caeca and a mitochondrion with well-defined cristae and well-preserved surrounding membranes. Micrographs courtesy of Dr. Syed (NIH/NIDCR) and Dr. Bleck (NIH/NHLBI)

Ultramicrotomes & Cryo-Ultramicrotomes

Whether tissue sample, polymer, rubber, metals or nanoparticles, Leica ultramicrotomes provide extremely thin sections and perfect surface quality in a wide range of applications. From materials science to cancer research, our ultramicrotomes are used for many different kinds of research and quality control all over the world. 

Read More

Sputter Coater & Freeze Fracture Solutions
 Due to the open chamber design and continuous gas exchange the SampLink chambers keep live cells healthy
Overview of Drosophila gastric caeca and a mitochondrion with well-defined cristae and well-preserved surrounding membranes. Micrographs courtesy of Dr. Syed (NIH/NIDCR) and Dr. Bleck (NIH/NHLBI)
Background image
Scroll to top