Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for the alignment of a charged-particle beam with an optical beam within a charged-particle beam microscope, and to the focusing of the optical beam are disclosed. An embodiment includes a charged-particle beam microscope having one or more charged-particle beams, such as an electron beam, and one or more optical beams provided by an optical-beam accessory that is mounted in or on the charged-particle beam microscope. This accessory is integrated into a nanomanipulator system, allowing its focus location to be moved within the microscope. The apparatus includes a two-dimensional pixelated beam locator such as a CCD or CMOS imaging array sensor. The image formed by this sensor can then be used to manually, or automatically in an open or closed loop configuration, adjust the positioning of one or more charged-particle beams or optical beams to achieve coincidence of such beams or focus of one or more such beams.
Abstract:
A multi-positional valve is used to control the destination of gas flows from multiple gas sources. In one valve position the gases flow to an isolated vacuum system where the flow rate and mixture can be adjusted prior to introduction into a sample vacuum chamber. In another valve position the pre-mixed gases flow from the isolated vacuum chamber and through a needle into the sample vacuum chamber.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus (10) comprising a support frame (60), a radiation projection system (20) for projecting radiation onto a substrate to be processed, a substrate support structure (30) for supporting the substrate, and a fluid transfer system (150). The radiation projection system comprises a cooling arrangement (130) and is supported by and vibrationally decoupled from the support frame such that vibrations of the support frame above a predetermined maximum frequency are substantially decoupled from the radiation projection system. The fluid transfer system comprises at least one tube (140) fixed at two points (151,152), and comprises a flexible portion. A substantial part of the flexible portion extends over a plane substantially parallel to the substrate support structure surface. The stiffness of the flexible portion is adapted to substantially decouple vibrations at the second fixed point which are above the predetermined maximum frequency from the first fixed point.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a method for generating an ion beam having gallium ions includes providing at least a portion of a gallium compound target in a plasma chamber, the gallium compound target comprising gallium and at least one additional element. The method also includes initiating a plasma in the plasma chamber using at least one gaseous species and providing a source of gaseous etchant species to react with the gallium compound target to form a volatile gallium species.
Abstract:
An underlayer is formed to cover the upper surface of a substrate and a guide pattern is formed on the underlayer. A DSA film constituted by two types of polymers is formed in a region on the underlayer where the guide pattern is not formed. Thermal processing is performed while a solvent is supplied to the DSA film on the substrate. Thus, a microphase separation of the DSA film occurs. As a result, patterns made of the one polymer and patterns made of another polymer are formed. Exposure processing and development processing are performed in this order on the DSA film after the microphase separation such that the patterns made of another polymer are removed.
Abstract:
A multi-positional valve is used to control the destination of gas flows from multiple gas sources. In one valve position the gases flow to an isolated vacuum system where the flow rate and mixture can be adjusted prior to introduction into a sample vacuum chamber. In another valve position the pre-mixed gases flow from the isolated vacuum chamber and through a needle into the sample vacuum chamber.
Abstract:
A method of mitigating the effects of environmental pressure variation while using a charged particle microscope is described. The charged particle microscope equipped with a barometric pressure sensor and an automatic controller configured to use the signal from the barometric sensor as an input to a control procedure to compensate for a relative positional error between the charged particle beam and the specimen holder.
Abstract:
A system and method are described, for use in cleaning of a vacuum chamber. The method comprising connecting a vacuum chamber to a plasma generating unit via a plasma connection port and connecting the vacuum chamber to a high vacuum pumping unit via a pumping port. A flow conductance through the plasma connection port to the vacuum chamber is controlled to limit passage of charged particles and cleaning substances produced in the plasma generating unit, to thereby maintain a working pressure inside the vacuum chamber while cleaning the vacuum chamber by said cleaning substances.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for preparing thin TEM samples in a manner that reduces or prevents bending and curtaining is realized. Embodiments of the present invention deposit material onto the face of a TEM sample during the process of preparing the sample. In some embodiments, the material can be deposited on a sample face that has already been thinned before the opposite face is thinned, which can serve to reinforce the structural integrity of the sample and refill areas that have been over-thinned due to a curtaining phenomena. In other embodiments, material can also be deposited onto the face being milled, which can serve to reduce or eliminate curtaining on the sample face.
Abstract:
A gas injection system for an energetic-beam instrument having a vacuum chamber. The system has a cartridge containing a chemical serving as a source for an output gas to be delivered into the vacuum chamber. The cartridge has a reservoir containing the chemical, which rises to a fill line having a level defined by an amount of the chemical present in the reservoir at a given time. An outlet from the reservoir is coupled to an output passage through an outlet valve and configured so that when the system is tilted the outlet remains above the level of the fill line. Embodiments include isolation valves allowing the cartridge to be disconnected without destroying system vacuum.