Device and method for cleaving a substrate

A device for cleaving a sample comprising:

• a stage horizontally disposed on a base, the stage having a substantially flat top;
• an indenter slideably arranged to be operable along a vertical axis arranged perpendicular to the top of the stage, the indenter slideably mounted to the base, the indenter comprising a knife comprising a diamond tip, the indenter disposed to operate from a first retracted position to a second extended position along the vertical plane;
• and
• wherein the indenter further comprises a knob coupled a threaded member, the knife located at a distal end of the threaded member whereby rotation in a first direction of the knob causes downward movement of the knife and rotation of the knob in an opposite direction causes retraction of the knife;
• and
• wherein the indenter further comprises a knob configured for adjusting the indenter horizontally in the x-direction with sub-micron precision independent of the stage.

A device for cleaving comprising:

• a substantially flat base;
• a stage rectangular in shape, having a flat top including a straight edge, and parallel to the flat top a flat bottom that is attached to the base, and a recess disposed under the flat table top, the stage further including a guide slidabaly coupled to the stage that includes a surface at right angles to the straight edge;
• a Newport stage having a top piece, and a bottom piece coupled to the base, with the top piece and the bottom piece mechanically coupled via a micrometer mechanism;
• a block formed in an “L” shape and attached to the top piece of the Newport stage the block including a flat portion of the “L” including a lower breaking pin, and an upright portion of the “L” including a vertical channel;
• an indenter including a diamond tipped scribe slidabally coupled to the vertical channel, the indenter protruding over the straight edge and operable by the micrometer mechanism to move along the straight edge;
• and
• a cleaving bar slidabaly disposed on guide rods attached to the block, and having a bottom surface including a pair of breaking pins positioned in back of and equidistant from the diamond tipped scribe, and an edge with a scale parallel to the straight edge.