Abstract:
The charged-particle beam system includes a non-axisymmetric diode forms a non-axisymmetric beam having an elliptic cross-section. A focusing element utilizes a magnetic field for focusing and transporting the non-axisymmetric beam, wherein the non-axisymmetric beam is approximately matched with the channel of the focusing element.
Abstract:
An objective lens for use in probe-forming particle-optical columns such as focused ion beam equipment, scanning electron microscopes, and helium microscopes is described. It comprises two interleaved (quadrupole/octopole) lenses and two or three ancillary octopole lenses, and is capable of simultaneous compensation of spherical (Cs) and chromatic (Cc) aberrations of the objective lens alone or of the complete particle-optical column. Additional apparatus comprising a gridded aperture and position-sensitive detector is specified, together with a method to measure and minimize all of the five independent third-order aberration coefficients of the objective lens.
Abstract:
A method for projecting an electron beam, used notably in direct or indirect writing lithography and in electronic microscopy. Proximity effects created by the forward and backward scattering of the electrons of the beam in interaction with the target must be corrected. For this, the convolution of a point spread function with the geometry of the target is conventionally used. At least one of the components of the point spread function has its maximum value not located on the center of the beam. Preferably, the maximum value is instead located on the backward scattering peak. Advantageously, the point spread function uses gamma distribution laws.
Abstract:
To provide an aberration correction configuration that can realize both an aberration correction function for a long focus and an aberration correction function for a short focus. While having a conventional aberration correction apparatus configuration that has two rotationally symmetric lenses arranged between two multipole lenses, three rotationally symmetric lenses are disposed between an objective lens and a multipole lens instead of the conventional arrangement in which two rotationally symmetric lenses are disposed therebetween. When using the objective lens with a long focal length, aberrations are corrected using two rotationally symmetric lenses among three rotationally symmetric lenses disposed between the objective lens and the multipole lens. When using the objective lens with a short focal length, e.g. for high resolution observation, aberrations are corrected using two rotationally symmetric lenses of a different combination to those used for a long focus, among the three rotationally symmetric lenses disposed between the objective lens and the multipole lens. (See FIG. 3)
Abstract:
A variable spot size x-ray tube comprises a cathode having an electron emitting surface providing an electron beam that travels essentially along the tube axis of symmetry to an anode. The anode, spaced from the cathode, includes a target, the front surface of which is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the axis of symmetry. The potential of the anode is generally positive with respect to that of the cathode. The cathode is heated to a temperature at which electrons are emitted by the thermionic emission process. Current from the cathode can be controlled by varying the cathode temperature if the cathode is operated in the temperature limited region. The incident electron beam forms a spot on the target surface whereupon x-rays are produced in response to impingement of the electron beam on the target. The x-rays propagate outwardly from the target spot through a vacuum window to form a beam of x-radiation outside the x-ray tube. An aperture grid is disposed between the cathode and the anode, and has a central aperture permitting the electron beam to pass therethrough. The aperture grid further has a variable voltage applied to it which may be positive, negative, or equal to the potential of the cathode. The voltage on the control grid is used to control the diameter of the electron beam which impinges upon the target. Specifically, the electron beam diameter varies in correspondence with the variable aperture grid voltage, and selective variation of the electron beam diameter results in a corresponding variation in size of the x-ray imaging spot.