Abstract:
Deflectors are disclosed that are suitable for use in various charged-particle-beam (CPB) optical systems as used, for example, in CPB microlithography systems. The deflectors produce a strong magnetic beam-deflecting field when energized with a relatively small electrical current. The beam-deflecting field thus produced is stable with respect to temperature changes, is little affected by eddy currents, and exhibits low aberration caused by manufacturing tolerances of the coil and core. In an exemplary method for manufacturing such a deflector, a magnetic-tape laminate is used as the core. Also, high-precision positioning of the coil and the magnetic-tape laminate is performed using photolithography and electrocasting. Positioning of the magnetic-tape laminate can be performed using a resist pattern formed by photolithography.
Abstract:
This is a method for designing an optimized charged particle beam projection system. Specify lens configuration and first order optics. Calculate lens excitations. Configure the lens system, providing lens field distributions, beam landing angle, and imaging ray/axis cross-over. Provide an input deflector configuration. Solve a linear equation set, and thereby provide a curvilinear axis and associated deflection field distributions. Calculate the third order aberration coefficients yielding a list of up to 54 aberration coefficients. Provide an input of dynamic correctors. Calculate excitations to eliminate quadratic aberrations in deflection. Calculate third and fifth order aberrations, providing image blur and distortion vs. deflection, best focal plane, and depth of focus. Determine whether the current result is better than the previous result. If YES then change the axial location input to the solve linear equation set. If NO, test whether the current result is acceptable. If NO, provide a deflector configuration. If YES, test whether the deflection current is larger. If YES, change the input for the axial location of the deflectors to solve the linear equation set again. If NO then END the process.
Abstract:
In order to provide an aberration correction system that realizes a charged particle beam of which the anisotropy is reduced or eliminated on a sample surface even in the case where there is magnetic interference between pole stages of an aberration corrector, an correction system includes a line cross position control device (209) which controls a line cross position in the aberration corrector of the charged particle beam so that a designed value and an actually measured value of the line cross position are equal to each other, an image shift amount extraction device (210), and a feedback determination device (211) which determines whether or not changing an excitation amount of the aberration corrector is necessary whether or not changing an excitation amount is necessary from an extracted image shift amount.
Abstract:
There is provided an objective lens capable of reducing the effects of magnetic fields on a sample. The objective lens permits observation of the sample at high resolution. The objective lens (100) includes a first electromagnetic lens (10) and a second electromagnetic lens (20). The first and second lenses (10, 20) produce their respective magnetic fields including components lying along an optical axis (L), and are so arranged that the component of the magnetic field of the first lens (10) lying along the optical axis (L) and the component of the magnetic field of the second lens (20) lying along the optical axis (L) cancel out each other at a sample placement surface (2). The first lens (10) includes an inner polepiece (15) and an outer polepiece (16). Similarly, the second lens (20) includes an inner polepiece (25) and an outer polepiece (26). The inner polepieces (15, 25) have front end portions (15a, 25a), respectively. The outer polepieces (16, 26) have front end portions (16a, 26a), respectively, which jut out toward the optical axis (L). The distances (D2, D4) of the front end portions (16a, 26a) of the outer polepieces (16, 26), respectively, from the sample placement surface (2) are less than the distances (D1, D3) of the front end portions (15a, 25a) of the inner polepieces (15, 25), respectively, from the sample placement surface (2).
Abstract:
A user interface for operation of a scanning electron microscope device that combines lower magnification reference images and higher magnification images on the same screen to make it easier for a user who is not used to the high magnification of electron microscopes to readily determine where on the sample an image is being obtained and to understand the relationship between that image and the rest of the sample. Additionally, other screens, such as, for example, an archive screen and a settings screen allow the user to compare saved images and adjust the settings of the system, respectively.
Abstract:
An objective lens arrangement includes a first, second and third pole pieces, each being substantially rotationally symmetric. The first, second and third pole pieces are disposed on a same side of an object plane. An end of the first pole piece is separated from an end of the second pole piece to form a first gap, and an end of the third pole piece is separated from an end of the second pole piece to form a second gap. A first excitation coil generates a focusing magnetic field in the first gap, and a second excitation coil generates a compensating magnetic field in the second gap. First and second power supplies supply current to the first and second excitation coils, respectively. A magnetic flux generated in the second pole piece is oriented in a same direction as a magnetic flux generated in the second pole piece.
Abstract:
A magnetic immersion lens apparatus includes an outer pole piece and an inner pole piece with a gap therebetween. The outer pole piece has an opening that permits energetic particles from a target in front of the immersion lens to pass through the outer pole piece to an external detector. The outer or inner pole piece has one or more notches near the gap. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
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.
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:
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.