Abstract:
An electrostatic multipole device for influencing a charged particle beam propagating along an optical axis is described. The electrostatic multipole device comprises a substrate with at least one aperture opening for the charged particle beam, which extends along the optical axis through the substrate, and four or more electrodes which are formed on a first main surface of the substrate to influence the charged particle beam propagating through the aperture opening, wherein each of the four or more electrodes is arranged at a radial distance from a beam limiting edge of the aperture opening. Further, a method of manufacturing an electrostatic multipole device is described.
Abstract:
A multi-beam apparatus for observing a sample with high resolution and high throughput is proposed. In the apparatus, a source-conversion unit changes a single electron source into a virtual multi-source array, a primary projection imaging system projects the array to form plural probe spots on the sample, and a condenser lens adjusts the currents of the plural probe spots. In the source-conversion unit, the image-forming means is on the upstream of the beamlet-limit means, and thereby generating less scattered electrons. The image-forming means not only forms the virtual multi-source array, but also compensates the off-axis aberrations of the plurality of probe spots.
Abstract:
The present invention provides apparatus for an imaging system comprising a multitude of imaging elements upon a substrate. In some embodiments the substrate may be approximately round with a radius of approximately one inch. Various methods relating to using and producing an imaging system are discussed.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and a device for manipulation of one or more charged particle beams of a plurality of charged particle beamlets in a charged particle multi-beamlet apparatus. The manipulator device comprises a planar substrate comprising an array of through openings in the plane of the substrate, each of these through openings is arranged for passing the at least one charged particle beamlet there through, wherein each of the through openings is provided with one or more electrodes arranged around the through opening, and a electronic control circuit for providing control signals to the one or more electrodes of each through opening, wherein the electronic control circuit is arranged for providing the one or more electrodes of each individual through opening with an at least substantially analog adjustable voltage.
Abstract:
A multi-beam apparatus for observing a sample with high resolution and high throughput and in flexibly varying observing conditions is proposed. The apparatus uses a movable collimating lens to flexibly vary the currents of the plural probe spots without influencing the intervals thereof, a new source-conversion unit to form the plural images of the single electron source and compensate off-axis aberrations of the plural probe spots with respect to observing conditions, and a pre-beamlet-forming means to reduce the strong Coulomb effect due to the primary-electron beam.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a micro-electron column including nanostructure tips each of which has a tubular, columnar, or blocky structure ranging in size from several nanometers to dozens of nanometers. In the micro-electron column, the nanostructure tips can easily emit electrons because a high electric field is generated at the end of the nanostructure tips when a voltage is applied to the nanostructure tips, and an induction electrode is disposed between the electron emitter and a source lens so as to help electrons emitted from the electron emitter to enter an aperture of a first lens electrode layer of the source lens, thereby realizing improved performance of the micro-electron column. In the micro-electron column, the size of the nanostructure tips may be larger than that of the aperture of a source lens.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a charged-particle multi-beamlet system that comprises a source of charged particles (301); a first multi-aperture plate (320) having plural apertures disposed in a charged particle beam path of the system downstream of the source; a first multi-aperture selector plate (313) having plural apertures; a easier (340), wherein the first multi-aperture selector plate is mounted on the carrier; and an actuator (350) configured to move the carrier such that the first multi-aperture selector plate is disposed in the charged particle beam path of the system downstream of the source in a first mode of operation of the system, and such that the first multi-aperture selector plate is disposed outside of the charged particle beam path in a second mode of operation of the system. The source, the first multi-aperture plate and the carrier of the system are arranged such that a first number of charged particle beamlets is generated at a position downstream of both the first multi-aperture plate and the first multi-aperture selector plate in the first mode of operation, and that a second number of charged particle beamlets is generated at the position in the second mode of operation, wherein the first number of beamlets differs from the second number of beamlets.
Abstract:
One embodiment relates to a pillar-supported array of micro electron lenses. The micro-lens array includes a base layer on a substrate, the base layer including an array of base electrode pads and an insulating border surrounding the base electrode pads so as to electrically isolate the base electrode pads from each other. The micro-lens array further includes an array of lens holes aligned with the array of base electrode pads and one or more stacked electrode layers having openings aligned with the array of lens holes. The micro-lens array further includes one or more layers of insulating pillars, each layer of insulating pillars supporting a stacked electrode layer. Another embodiment relates to a method of fabricating a pillar-supported array of micro electron lenses. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A system includes an integrated circuit (IC) design data base having a feature, a source configured to generate a radiation beam, a pattern generator (PG) including a mirror array plate and an electrode plate disposed over the mirror array plate, wherein the electrode plate includes a lens let having a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension with the first dimension larger than the second dimension so that the lens let modifies the radiation beam to form the long shaped radiation beam, and a stage configured secured the substrate. The system further includes an electric field generator connecting the mirror array plate. The mirror array plate includes a mirror. The mirror absorbs or reflects the radiation beam. The radiation beam includes electron beam or ion beam. The second dimension is equal to a minimum dimension of the feature.
Abstract:
A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) apparatus that includes a scanning electron microscope, an x-ray detector, and an auxiliary acceleration voltage source. The scanning electron microscope includes a sample holder, and a layered electron beam column arranged to output an electron beam towards the sample holder at an initial beam energy. The auxiliary acceleration voltage source is to apply an auxiliary acceleration voltage between the sample holder and the layered electron beam column to accelerate the electron beam to a final beam energy. At the final beam energy, the electron beam is capable of generating x-rays at multiple wavelengths from a larger range of atomic species than the electron beam at the initial beam energy.