Abstract:
A cluster source producing a beam of charged clusters 108 is used to assist charged particle beam processing on a work piece 112. For example, a protective layer is applied using a cluster source and a precursor gas, the gas being supplied by a gas injection system 104. The large mass of the cluster and the low energy per atom or molecule in the cluster restricts damage to within a few nanometers of the surface of the work piece. Fullerenes or clusters of fullerenes, bismuth, gold or Xe can be used with a precursor gas to deposit material onto a surface, or can be used with an etchant gas to etch the surface. Clusters can also be used to deposit material directly onto the surface to form a protective layer for charged particle beam processing or to provide energy to activate an etchant gas. An additional charged particle beam 107 can assist in machining the work piece when e.g. a protective layer is applied.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma source (100) for a focused charged particle beam system includes a dielectric liquid (126) that insulates and cools the plasma chamber (102). A flow restrictor (158) at an electrical potential that is a large fraction of the plasma potential reducing arcing because the voltage drop in the gas occurs primarily at relative high pressure.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602) with a removably attached source electrode (106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606). A fastening mechanism (104, 204, 304, 404, 504) connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma source (100) for a focused charged particle beam system includes a dielectric liquid (126) that insulates and cools the plasma chamber (102). A flow restrictor (158) at an electrical potential that is a large fraction of the plasma potential reducing arcing because the voltage drop in the gas occurs primarily at relative high pressure.
Abstract:
A method for fabrication of microscopic structures that uses a beam process, such as beam-induced decomposition of a precursor, to deposit a mask in a precise pattern and then a selective, plasma beam is applied, comprising the steps of first creating a protective mask upon surface portions of a substrate using a beam process such as an electron beam, focused ion beam (FIB), or laser process, and secondly etching unmasked substrate portions using a selective plasma beam etch process. Optionally, a third step comprising the removal of the protective mask may be performed with a second, materially oppositely selective plasma beam process.
Abstract:
An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602) with a removably attached source electrode (106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606). A fastening mechanism (104, 204, 304, 404, 504) connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible.
Abstract:
A method for fabrication of microscopic structures that uses a beam process, such as beam-induced decomposition of a precursor, to deposit a mask in a precise pattern and then a selective, plasma beam is applied, comprising the steps of first creating a protective mask upon surface portions of a substrate using a beam process such as an electron beam, focused ion beam (FIB), or laser process, and secondly etching unmasked substrate portions using a selective plasma beam etch process. Optionally, a third step comprising the removal of the protective mask may be performed with a second, materially oppositely selective plasma beam process.