Self-assembled film thickness determination by focused ion beam

The thickness evolution of multilayer film is investigated by focused ion beam (FIB) in the domain of polymer multilayers. This method, currently used in the modification and the characterization of integrated circuits, proves it is possible to determine the polymer film thickness. Sample cutting and its observation of the cross-section are performed in the FIB without leaving the vacuum chamber. Two main conclusions can be drawn: (1) the roughness of the film increases with the number of layer deposit, (2) the film growth changes from nonlinear (called exponential) to linear beyond 300 nm (70 layers).