Abstract:
A particle-optical arrangement comprises a charged-particle source for generating a beam of charged particles; a multi-aperture plate arranged in a beam path of the beam of charged particles, wherein the multi-aperture plate has a plurality of apertures formed therein in a predetermined first array pattern, wherein a plurality of charged-particle beamlets is formed from the beam of charged particles downstream of the multi-aperture plate, and wherein a plurality of beam spots is formed in an image plane of the apparatus by the plurality of beamlets, the plurality of beam spots being arranged in a second array pattern; and a particle-optical element for manipulating the beam of charged particles and/or the plurality of beamlets; wherein the first array pattern has a first pattern regularity in a first direction, and the second array pattern has a second pattern regularity in a second direction electron-optically corresponding to the first direction, and wherein the second regularity is higher than the first regularity.
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 carrier (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:
This invention provides a charged particle source, which comprises an emitter and means of generating a magnetic field distribution. The magnetic field distribution is minimum, about zero, or preferred zero at the tip of the emitter, and along the optical axis is maximum away from the tip immediately. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic field distribution is provided by dual magnetic lens which provides an anti-symmetric magnetic field at the tip, such that magnetic field at the tip is zero.
Abstract:
An inspection apparatus capable of facilitating reduction in cost of the apparatus is provided. The inspection apparatus includes: beam generation means for generating any of charged particles and electromagnetic waves as a beam; a primary optical system that guides the beam into an inspection object held on a movable stage in a working chamber and irradiates the inspection object with the beam; a secondary optical system that detects secondary charged particles occurring from the inspection object; and an image processing system that forms an image on the basis of the detected secondary charged particles. The inspection apparatus further includes: a linear motor that drives the movable stage; and a Helmholtz coil that causes a magnetic field for canceling a magnetic field caused by the linear motor when the movable stage is driven.
Abstract:
An exposure pattern is computed for exposing a desired pattern on a target in a charged-particle multi-beam processing apparatus to match a reference writing tool, and/or for compensating a deviation of the imaging from a pattern definition device onto the target from a desired value of critical dimension along at least one direction in the image area on the target: The desired pattern is provided as a graphical representation suitable for the reference tool, on the image area on the target. A convolution kernel is used which describes a mapping from an element of the graphical representation to a group of pixels which is centered around a nominal position of said element. A nominal exposure pattern is calculated by convolution of the graphical representation with the convolution kernel, said nominal exposure pattern being suitable to create a nominal dose distribution on the target when exposed with the processing apparatus.
Abstract:
An adjustable mass-resolving slit assembly includes an aperture portion and an actuation portion. The aperture portion includes first and second shield members that define an aperture therebetween for receiving an ion beam during semiconductor processing operations. The actuation portion is coupled to the aperture portion and selectively and independently adjusts the position of the first and second shield members along first and second non-parallel axes. Adjusting the position of the first and second shield members along the first axis adjusts a width of the aperture. Adjusting the position of the first and second shield members along the second axis adjusts a region of the first and second shield members impinged by the ion beam. Methods for using the adjustable mass-resolving slit assembly are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A nano-patterned system comprises a vacuum chamber, a sample stage and a magnetic-field applying device. The magnetic-field applying device comprises a power supply, magnetic poles, and a magnetic-field generation device having a magnetic conductive soft iron core and a coil connected to the power supply and wound on the soft iron core to generate a magnetic field. The soft iron core is a semi-closed frame structure and the magnetic poles are respectively disposed at the two ends of the semi-closed frame structure. The sample stage is inside the vacuum chamber. The magnetic poles are opposite one another inside the vacuum chamber with respect to the sample stage. The coil and soft iron core are outside the vacuum chamber. The soft iron core leads the magnetic field generated by the coil into the vacuum chamber. The magnetic poles locate a sample on the sample stage and apply a local magnetic field.
Abstract:
Ordinary charged particle beam apparatuses have each been an apparatus manufactured for dedicated use in making observations in a gas atmosphere at atmospheric pressure or at a pressure substantially equal thereto. There have existed no devices capable of simply making observations using an ordinary high-vacuum charged particle microscope in a gas atmosphere at atmospheric pressure or at a pressure approximately equal thereto. Furthermore, ordinary techniques have been incapable of observing the same spot of the sample in such an atmosphere using a charged particle beam and light simultaneously. This invention thus provides an apparatus including: a charged particle optical tube that irradiates a sample with a primary charged particle beam; a vacuum pump that evacuates the inside of the charged particle optical tube; a diaphragm arranged to separate a space in which the sample is placed from the charged particle optical tube, the diaphragm being detachable and allowing the primary charged particle beam to permeate or pass therethrough; and an optical microscope positioned on the opposite side of the charged particle optical tube across the diaphragm and the sample, the optical microscope having an optical axis thereof aligned with at least part of an extension of the optical axis of the charged particle optical tube.
Abstract:
In a charged-particle multi-beam processing apparatus for exposure of a target with a plurality of parallel particle-optical columns, each column has a beam shaping device forming the shape of the illuminating beam into a desired pattern composed of a multitude of sub-beams, by means of an aperture array device, which defines the shape of a respective sub-beam by means of an array of apertures, and a deflection array device selectively deflecting sub-beams off their nominal paths; thus, only the non-selected sub-beams can reach the target. According to many embodiments of the invention each beam shaping device is provided with a first field-boundary device and a second field-boundary device, which are the first and last plate elements traversed by the beam. One of the first and second field-boundary devices defines a field-free space interval so as to accommodate feeding lines for controlling the deflection array device.
Abstract:
Apparatus having a magnetic lens configured to diverge an electron beam are useful in three-dimensional imaging using an electron microscope. The magnetic lens includes a body member having a core and defining a gap, and a winding surrounding a portion of the core. The body member and winding are configured such that an electrical current through the winding produces a magnetic field proximate to the gap.