Abstract Failure analysis of advanced semiconductor devices demands fast and accurate examination from the bulk to the specific area of the defect. Consequently, nanometer resolution and below is critical for finding defects. This work presents the use of argon ion milling methods for multiple length scale sample preparation, micrometer to sub-ångström, without sample preparation- induced artifacts for correlative SEM and TEM failure analysis. The result is an accurately delayered sample from which electron-transparent TEM specimens of less than 20 nm are obtained.