Hello there,
So I have added a gold-conductive (via evaporation) layer to my bulk silicon nitride sample for use with SEM. Unfortunately the surface has become a bit dirty with dust and probably some grease etc...my question is, what is the best way of cleaning the surface without removing the gold layer? I normally use acetone but am worried this may have an effect on the gold layer?
Thanks in advance,
Adam
Dear Adam,
Acetone should be ok, and you can use methanol after (or isopropanol), instead of ethanol (you have generally much water trace with ethanol).
regards
Plasma etching or laser etching are the best ways, especially at low gold layer thickness conditions.
wiping a coated sample mechanically is usually not a good idea, may be better to use as is after blowing with air to remove dust to see if it is useful as is in SEM. If this a polished sample, wiping with IPA, acetone etc and recoating Au is better, or even repolishing.
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