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Fracture edge examination

There are samples for which it is necessary to create a breaking edge in an ultra-high vacuum in order to examine them. Breaking in a vacuum prevents contamination of the breaking edge by the atmosphere. There are also structures on samples that make it much more efficient to examine the fracture edges than the surface.

Examples of applications

Images of an examination of black silicon.

(With kind permission of Thomas Gimpel)

Sample surface

Breaking edge