Lift-Out Grids

Overview

Lift-out grids are specialized mounts designed to accept TEM lamellae milled and extracted by focused ion beam (FIB) or SEM/FIB systems, rather than carrying a broad support film. SPI Supplies offers Omniprobe-style metal lift-out grids, silicon lift-out grids from Dune Science, and carbon composite lift-out grids in post configurations that hold the lamella securely for transfer into the TEM. Grids are produced in copper and molybdenum metal, as well as in a carbon composite construction, and are available with two, three, or four posts to match different manipulator and lamella-mounting workflows. Half rings in beryllium and molybdenum are also offered as support rings for FIB lift-out work.

Post Configurations

Grids are offered with 2, 3, or 4 posts; the 3-post copper style is available in standard, shallow-downset, and side-access variants to accommodate different lamella geometries and probe access angles.

Materials

Copper and molybdenum Omniprobe-style grids provide a conductive, rigid metal mount, while carbon composite lift-out grids offer a lightweight, low-background alternative; beryllium and molybdenum half rings serve as support rings for larger sample mounting.

Applications

Lift-out grids are used in site-specific TEM sample preparation workflows where a lamella is milled from bulk material by FIB or SEM/FIB and then transferred directly onto the grid posts for thinning and subsequent TEM analysis.

Specifications