Abstract:
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for slice and view processing of samples with dual beam systems. The slice and view processing includes exposing a vertical wall of a trench formed in a sample surface; capturing a first image of the wall by interrogating the wall with an interrogating beam while the wall is at a first orientation relative to the beam; capturing a second image of the wall by interrogating the wall with the beam while the wall is at a second orientation relative to the beam, wherein first distances in the first image between a reference point and surface points on the wall are different than second distances in the second image between the reference point and the surface points; determining elevations of the surface points using the first distances and the second distances; and fitting a curve to topography of the wall using the elevations.
Abstract:
A method of examining a region of interest of a sample using a charged-particle microscope, comprising the following steps: - Mounting the sample on a movable sample holder; - Providing a particle-optical column that can be used to direct at least one beam of particulate radiation onto at least said region, thereby producing an interaction that causes emitted radiation to emanate from the sample; - In a measurement of a first type, using a first detector to detect a first type of said emitted radiation; - Using an output of said first detector as a basis to perform at least one of the following actions: - Assign a value of a measurand to a given coordinate position within said region, for one or more such coordinate positions; - Construct an image of said region, wherein the following steps are additionally performed: - In a measurement of a second type, using a second detector to detect a second type of said emitted radiation; - Providing computer processing apparatus; - Using said computer processing apparatus to automatically perform the following actions: - Based on an output of said second detector, construct a topographical map of at least a portion of the sample proximal to said region of interest; - Based on said topographical map, identify at least one locus of said sample where sample topography is expected to detrimentally affect accuracy of a measurement of the first type performed at that locus, for at least one geometric attitude of said locus with respect to at least one of said beam and said first detector.
Said computer processing apparatus can be employed to automatically perform at least one of the following actions: - Draw the attention of a user of said charged-particle microscope to the existence of said locus; - For said locus, indicate an extent to which said accuracy is expected to be detrimentally affected; - Calculate at least one modification of said measurement of the first type aimed at improving said accuracy; - Enact said modification.
Abstract:
A first electron biprism is disposed in a condenser optical system and an observation region of a specimen is irradiated simultaneously with two electron beams of different angles. The two electron beams that have simultaneously transmitted the specimen are spatially separated and focused with a second electron biprism disposed in an imaging optical system and two electron microscopic images of different irradiation angles are obtained. The two picture images are obtained by a detecting unit. Based on the two picture images, a stereoscopic image or two images having different kinds of information of the specimen is/are produced and displayed on a display device.
Abstract:
The invention provides a multiple lens assembly 1 for a charged particle beam device which comprises at least two lens sub units 2, each sub unit having an optical axis 3, wherein at least two of the optical axes of the lens sub units are inclined to each other. Further, the invention provides a charged particle beam device which comprises at least one multiple lens assembly and a method for operating a charged particle beam device.
Abstract:
A method of investigating a specimen using tomographic imaging, comprising the following steps: - Providing a specimen on a specimen holder; - Directing a beam of radiation through the specimen and onto a detector, thereby generating an image of the specimen; - Repeating said directing step for a set of different specimen orientations relative to said beam, thereby generating a corresponding set of images; - Using an iterative mathematical reconstruction technique to convert said set of images into a tomogram of at least a portion of the specimen; - Mathematically constraining said reconstruction, so as to curtail a solution space resulting therefrom, additionally comprising the following steps: - Obtaining three-dimensional SEM imagery of at least a part of the specimen that overlaps at least partially with said portion; - Using said SEM imagery to perform said constraining step, by requiring iterative results of said reconstruction to be consistent with pixel values derived from said SEM imagery.
Abstract:
A method of determining properties of a sample, comprising: detecting using a first detector emissions of a first type from the sample in response to a beam scanned over an area of the sample; detecting using a second detector emissions of a second type from the sample in response to the beam scanned over the area of the sample, the second detector measuring spectral information; using emissions of the first type, dividing the scanned area of the sample into multiple regions, each region having a common characteristic; characterized by: combining emissions of the second type from multiple points in at least one of the regions determined using emissions of the first type to have a common characteristic to produce a combined spectrum of the material in the region.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a charged particle radiation apparatus capable of capturing a change in a sample due to gaseous atmosphere, light irradiation, heating or the like without exposing the sample to atmosphere. The present invention relates to a sample holder provided with a sample stage that is rotatable around a rotation axis perpendicular to an electron beam irradiation direction, the sample holder being capable of forming an airtight chamber around the sample stage. A sample is allowed to chemically react in any atmosphere, and three-dimensional analysis on the reaction is enabled. A sample liable to change in atmosphere can be three-dimensionally analyzed without exposing the sample to the atmosphere.
Abstract:
A method for generating a cathodoluminescence map comprising the steps of: generating an intensity modulated charged particle beam; focusing said charged particle beam on a specimen; gating temporally the cathodoluminescence emitted by said specimen to provide time-gated cathodoluminescence; measuring the time-gated cathodoluminescence for different charged particle beam positions on the specimen to generate a cathodoluminescence map; deconvoluting the cathodoluminescence map to improve the resolution of said cathodoluminescence map. The invention further provides devices for carrying out such methods.