公开(公告)号：US20140284476A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-25

申请号：US14276000

申请日：2014-05-13

Applicant: Hermes Microvision, Inc.

Inventor： Weiming Ren ,  Shuai Li ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: H01J37/05 ,  H01J37/12 ,  H01J37/244 ,  H01J37/26

CPC classification number: H01J37/05 ,  H01J37/10 ,  H01J37/12 ,  H01J37/244 ,  H01J37/263 ,  H01J2237/057 ,  H01J2237/12 ,  H01J2237/14

Abstract: This invention provides a method for improving performance of a reflective type energy filter for a charged particle beam, which employs a beam-adjusting lens on an entrance side of a potential barrier of the energy filter to make the charged particle beam become a substantially parallel beam to be incident onto the potential barrier. The method makes the energy filter have both a fine energy-discrimination power over a large emission angle spread and a high uniformity of energy-discrimination powers over a large FOV. A LVSEM using this method in the energy filter can obviously improve image contrast. The invention also provides multiple energy-discrimination detection devices formed by using the advantages of the method.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种用于提高带电粒子束的反射型能量过滤器的性能的方法，该方法在能量过滤器的势垒的入口侧采用光束调节透镜，以使带电粒子束变成基本平行的光束 被发现在潜在的障碍物上。 该方法使得能量滤波器在大的发射角扩展上具有精细的能量鉴别能力，并且在大的FOV上具有高的能量鉴别能力的均匀性。 在能量过滤器中使用这种方法的LVSEM可以显着提高图像对比度。 本发明还提供了通过使用该方法的优点形成的多个能量鉴别检测装置。

公开(公告)号：US20140151554A1

公开(公告)日：2014-06-05

申请号：US14081465

申请日：2013-11-15

Applicant: Hermes Microvision, Inc.

Inventor： Weiming Ren ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: H01J37/26 ,  H01J37/14 ,  H01J37/29

CPC classification number: H01J37/026 ,  H01J37/14 ,  H01J37/261 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J2237/0045 ,  H01J2237/0262 ,  H01J2237/1405 ,  H01J2237/2801 ,  H01J2237/2803

Abstract: The present invention provides means and corresponding embodiments to control charge-up in an electron beam apparatus, which can eliminate the positive charges soon after being generated on the sample surface within a frame cycle of imaging scanning. The means are to let some or all of secondary electrons emitted from the sample surface return back to neutralize positive charges built up thereon so as to reach a charge balance within a limited time period. The embodiments use control electrodes to generate retarding fields to reflect some of secondary electrons with low kinetic energies back to the sample surface.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了用于控制电子束装置中的充电的装置和相应的实施例，其可以在成像扫描的帧周期内在样品表面上产生后不久就消除正电荷。 该方法是使从样品表面发射的二次电子的一些或全部返回到中和积聚在其上的正电荷，从而在有限的时间段内达到电荷平衡。 这些实施例使用控制电极产生延迟场，以将具有低动能的一些二次电子反射回样品表面。

公开(公告)号：US20130248730A1

公开(公告)日：2013-09-26

申请号：US13895452

申请日：2013-05-16

Applicant: Hermes Microvision, Inc.

Inventor： Weiming Ren ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: H01J3/20

CPC classification number: H01J37/14 ,  B82Y10/00 ,  B82Y40/00 ,  H01J3/20 ,  H01J37/141 ,  H01J37/145 ,  H01J37/3177 ,  H01J2237/1035 ,  H01J2237/1415 ,  H01J2237/31774

Abstract: The present invention provides two ways to form a special permeability discontinuity unit inside every sub-lens of a multi-axis magnetic lens, which either has a simpler configuration or has more flexibility in manufacturing such as material selection and mechanical structure. Accordingly several types of multi-axis magnetic lens are proposed for various applications. One type is for general application such as a multi-axis magnetic condenser lens or a multi-axis magnetic transfer lens, another type is a multi-axis magnetic non-immersion objective which can require a lower magnetomotive force, and one more type is a multi-axis magnetic immersion objective lens which can generate smaller aberrations. Due to using permeability-discontinuity units, every multi-axis magnetic lens in this invention can also be electrically excited to function as a multi-axis electromagnetic compound lens so as to further reduce aberrations thereof and/or realize electron beam retarding for low-voltage irradiation on specimen.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了在多轴磁性透镜的每个子透镜内部形成特殊的磁导率不连续单元的两种方式，其具有更简单的构造或在诸如材料选择和机械结构的制造中具有更大的灵活性。 因此，针对各种应用提出了几种类型的多轴磁性透镜。 一种用于一般应用，例如多轴磁聚焦透镜或多轴磁转移透镜，另一种类型是可以要求较低磁动势的多轴磁性非浸没物镜，另一种类型是 可以产生较小像差的多轴磁浸物镜。 由于使用导磁率不连续单位，本发明中的每个多轴磁性透镜也可以被电激励以用作多轴电磁复合透镜，以便进一步降低其像差和/或实现低电压的电子束延迟 对样品照射

公开(公告)号：US10141160B2

公开(公告)日：2018-11-27

申请号：US15365145

申请日：2016-11-30

Applicant: Hermes Microvision Inc.

Inventor： Weiming Ren ,  Xuedong Liu ,  Xuerang Hu ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: H01J37/28 ,  H01J37/14 ,  H01J37/153 ,  H01J37/20 ,  H01J37/244 ,  H01J37/141 ,  H01J37/29

Abstract: A secondary projection imaging system in a multi-beam apparatus is proposed, which makes the secondary electron detection with high collection efficiency and low cross-talk. The system employs one zoom lens, one projection lens and one anti-scanning deflection unit. The zoom lens and the projection lens respectively perform the zoom function and the anti-rotating function to remain the total imaging magnification and the total image rotation with respect to the landing energies and/or the currents of the plural primary beamlets. The anti-scanning deflection unit performs the anti-scanning function to eliminate the dynamic image displacement due to the deflection scanning of the plural primary beamlets.

公开(公告)号：US20170213688A1

公开(公告)日：2017-07-27

申请号：US15417360

申请日：2017-01-27

Applicant: Hermes Microvision Inc.

Inventor： Weiming Ren ,  Xuedong Liu ,  Xuerang Hu ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: H01J37/06 ,  G01N23/225 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J37/147 ,  H01J37/22 ,  H01J37/145

CPC classification number: H01J37/06 ,  G01N23/2251 ,  G01N2223/418 ,  G01N2223/6116 ,  H01J37/145 ,  H01J37/1474 ,  H01J37/226 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J2237/2817

Abstract: A new multi-beam apparatus with a total FOV variable in size, orientation and incident angle, is proposed. The new apparatus provides more flexibility to speed the sample observation and enable more samples observable. More specifically, as a yield management tool to inspect and/or review defects on wafers/masks in semiconductor manufacturing industry, the new apparatus provide more possibilities to achieve a high throughput and detect more kinds of defects.

公开(公告)号：US20170125205A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-04

申请号：US15403685

申请日：2017-01-11

Applicant: Hermes Microvision Inc.

Inventor： Xuedong Liu ,  Weiming Ren ,  Shuai Li ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: H01J37/147 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J37/153

CPC classification number: H01J37/147 ,  H01J37/04 ,  H01J37/153 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J2237/061 ,  H01J2237/083 ,  H01J2237/1532 ,  H01J2237/1534 ,  H01J2237/2817

Abstract: One modified source-conversion unit and one method to reduce the Coulomb Effect in a multi-beam apparatus are proposed. In the modified source-conversion unit, the aberration-compensation function is carried out after the image-forming function has changed each beamlet to be on-axis locally, and therefore avoids undesired aberrations due to the beamlet tilting/shifting. A Coulomb-effect-reduction means with plural Coulomb-effect-reduction openings is placed close to the single electron source of the apparatus and therefore the electrons not in use can be cut off as early as possible.

公开(公告)号：US20160336142A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-17

申请号：US15150858

申请日：2016-05-10

Applicant: Hermes Microvision Inc.

Inventor： Xuedong Liu ,  Weiming Ren ,  Shuai Li ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: H01J37/147 ,  H01J37/20 ,  H01J37/06 ,  H01J37/10 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J37/22

CPC classification number: H01J37/147 ,  H01J37/04 ,  H01J37/153 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J2237/061 ,  H01J2237/083 ,  H01J2237/1532 ,  H01J2237/1534 ,  H01J2237/2817

Abstract: One modified source-conversion unit and one method to reduce the Coulomb Effect in a multi-beam apparatus are proposed. In the modified source-conversion unit, the aberration-compensation function is carried out after the image-forming function has changed each beamlet to be on-axis locally, and therefore avoids undesired aberrations due to the beamlet tilting/shifting. A Coulomb-effect-reduction means with plural Coulomb-effect-reduction openings is placed close to the single electron source of the apparatus and therefore the electrons not in use can be cut off as early as possible.

Abstract translation: 提出了一种改进的源转换单元和一种减少多光束装置中的库仑效应的方法。 在修改的源转换单元中，在图像形成功能使每个子束在局部变化之后进行像差补偿功能，因此避免了由于子束倾斜/移位引起的不期望的像差。 具有多个库仑效应还原开口的库仑效应降低装置放置在靠近设备的单个电子源的位置，因此可以尽可能早地切断未使用的电子。

公开(公告)号：US09384936B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-05

申请号：US14800098

申请日：2015-07-15

Applicant: Hermes Microvision Inc.

Inventor： Weiming Ren ,  Joe Wang ,  Shuai Li ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: G01T1/20 ,  H01J37/05 ,  H01J37/10 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J37/12 ,  H01J37/244 ,  H01J37/26

CPC classification number: H01J37/05 ,  H01J37/10 ,  H01J37/12 ,  H01J37/244 ,  H01J37/263 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J2237/057 ,  H01J2237/12 ,  H01J2237/14

Abstract: This invention provides two methods for improving performance of an energy-discrimination detection device with an energy filter of reflective type for a charged particle beam. The first method employs a beam-adjusting means to improve the energy-discrimination power, and the second method uses an electron-multiplication means to enhance the image signal without noise raise. A LVSEM with such an improved energy-discrimination detection device can provide variant high-contrast images of interested features on a specimen surface for multiple application purposes.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了两种用于利用带电粒子束的反射型能量滤波器来改善能量鉴别检测装置的性能的方法。 第一种方法采用光束调节装置来提高能量鉴别能力，而第二种方法使用电子倍增装置来增强图像信号而没有噪声提高。 具有这种改进的能量鉴别检测装置的LVSEM可以在样本表面上提供用于多种应用目的的感兴趣特征的变体高对比度图像。

公开(公告)号：US09362087B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-07

申请号：US14560845

申请日：2014-12-04

Applicant: Hermes Microvision Inc.

Inventor： Zhongwei Chen ,  Jack Jau ,  Weiming Ren

IPC: H01J37/26 ,  H01J37/28 ,  H01J37/10 ,  H01J37/14 ,  H01J37/20 ,  H01J37/22 ,  H01J37/244 ,  H01J37/02 ,  H01J37/285 ,  H01J37/29

CPC classification number: H01J37/28 ,  H01J37/026 ,  H01J37/10 ,  H01J37/14 ,  H01J37/20 ,  H01J37/22 ,  H01J37/244 ,  H01J37/261 ,  H01J37/285 ,  H01J37/292 ,  H01J2237/04926 ,  H01J2237/1405 ,  H01J2237/24475 ,  H01J2237/24495 ,  H01J2237/24528 ,  H01J2237/2801 ,  H01J2237/2804 ,  H01J2237/2806 ,  H01J2237/2814

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses to inspect small particles on the surface of a sample such as wafer and mask. The apparatuses provide both high detection efficiency and high throughput by forming Dark-field BSE images. The apparatuses can additionally inspect physical and electrical defects on the sample surface by form SE images and Bright-field BSE images simultaneously. The apparatuses can be designed to do single-beam or even multiple single-beam inspection for achieving a high throughput.

公开(公告)号：US09048062B1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-02

申请号：US14611741

申请日：2015-02-02

Applicant: Hermes Microvision, Inc.

Inventor： Weiming Ren ,  Shuai Li ,  Zhongwei Chen

IPC: H01J37/12

CPC classification number: H01J37/12 ,  H01J37/05 ,  H01J2237/04924 ,  H01J2237/0535 ,  H01J2237/057 ,  H01J2237/24485 ,  H01J2237/28

Abstract: This invention provides a method for improving performance of a reflective type energy filter for a charged particle beam, which employs a beam-adjusting lens on an entrance side of a potential barrier of the energy filter to make the charged particle beam become a substantially parallel beam to be incident onto the potential barrier. The method makes the energy filter have both a fine energy-discrimination power over a large emission angle spread and a high uniformity of energy-discrimination powers over a large FOV. A LVSEM using this method in the energy filter can obviously improve image contrast. The invention also provides multiple energy-discrimination detection devices formed by using the advantages of the method.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种用于提高带电粒子束的反射型能量过滤器的性能的方法，该方法在能量过滤器的势垒的入口侧采用光束调节透镜，以使带电粒子束变成基本平行的光束 被发现在潜在的障碍之上。 该方法使得能量滤波器在大的发射角扩展上具有精细的能量鉴别能力，并且在大的FOV上具有高的能量鉴别能力的均匀性。 在能量过滤器中使用这种方法的LVSEM可以显着提高图像对比度。 本发明还提供了通过使用该方法的优点形成的多个能量鉴别检测装置。