Looking for IC

Try ABLIC - Seiko (SII) ~ S-8540xxx. That's a family of buck regulators in that ~ package.

RL

Can't help you with this one. What is that method? Is it just to put tape over the part and make the laser etching stand out better?

Yes. It is explained in short on EEVblog site.

Thank you, Robert, I shall.

Oh, THAT Dave. Got it.

"Daves Method' ? - place Scotch tape over IC to make the text readable???

He appears to be talking about something Dave of EEVblog must have talked about. I assume it takes advantage of the near transparency of the tape when in good contact with an object, hence the name "transparent" tape. Where the laser etching has left tiny, otherwise difficult to see voids, the tape does not adhere and the frostiness makes the etching more clear to see.

this isn't Dave but shows pictures with and without tape :

Marginal improvement with the good camera they are using. I bet a bit of chalk dust or talcum powder would work better, but who has chalk anymore? lol! Then you have to keep it out of the electronics...

I wonder if a tiny bit of moisture on your finger to pick up some talc, wiping it over the etchings would work? That would keep it from making a mess.

FWIW, per your wondering, I've put a bit of saliva on my fingertip and rubbed it across the IC. Works in some cases. Haven't tried talc, chalk dust. A colleague requested that the white board in his office get replaced with a black board and they did it. Even got him colored chalk as well. Yes, still around.