Cuts 3mm diameter TEM samples from hard, brittle materials without mechanical or thermal damage. Material can be as thin as 10um or as thick as 10mm producing a cylindrical core used to prepare cross-sectional (XTEM) samples. Site-specific cutting is possible using a 40X reflected light microscope to center the area of interest. An integrated micrometer depth gauge shows the cutting rate and progress. Automatic termination based on electrical continuity determines when the cut is complete.