Abstract:
Disclosed is an electron beam apparatus and method which can retain the state that minimizes the amount of water content contained at a gap between a high-voltage cable and a high-voltage introduction insulator to thereby prevent creation of high-voltage discharge and current leakage. The apparatus comprises a means for applying a high voltage to an acceleration electrode while eliminating electron release from an electron source and for detecting a change in an emission current corresponding to a change in an acceleration voltage at this time. In addition, the apparatus comprises a means for issuing a cautionary notice or warning when the change of this emission current exceeds a prespecified value. Further, the apparatus comprises a means for letting a dry gas flow in a gap portion between the electron gun's high-voltage cable and the high-voltage introduction insulator to thereby dehumidify said gap portion. With such an arrangement, it is possible to prevent high-voltage discharge due to an increase in water content of the gap portion and also instability of an electron beam due to a leakage current.
Abstract:
An improved ion implantation system is provided by the present invention. The system includes at least one power supply for providing voltage to at least one electrode and, a switching system operatively coupled between the at least one power supply and the at least one electrode. The switching system decouples the at least one power supply and the at least one electrode at a predetermined threshold to mitigate overload of the at least one power supply.
Abstract:
An arc suppressor is provided for an electron gun of the type used e.g. in semiconductor lithography equipment. The arc suppressor prevents damaging emission properties of the electron gun either due to variation of the cathode work function or any damage to the emitter apex. The arc suppressor includes a resistance and an inductor in series with each electrode lead providing voltage or current to the various electrodes of the electron gun. The inductance is provided by a ferrite toroid which contains a plurality of holes in addition to the main central hole. The leads for each electrode are wrapped around the toroid through the various holes, with one hole being provided for each lead. Thus advantageously each lead is isolated magnetically from the others, reducing the transformer and capacitive effects that couple one lead to another.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an electron beam current stabilizing device comprising a sensing element (12) responsive to the beam current deviation from the predetermined value, a saw-tooth voltage shaper (14) connected to a high-voltage transformer (2) of an acceleration voltage source and providing periodic saw-tooth voltage, smoothly sloping portions thereof being shaped starting from the moment when the voltage at the high-voltage transformer (2) crosses zero, an adder (13) whose one input is connected to the output of the sensing element (12), and the other input, to the output of the shaper (14), a threshold element (15) connected to the output of the adder (13), a differentiator (16) connected to the output of the threshold element (15) to shape the electric driving pulses when the smoothly sloping portions of the saw-tooth voltage cross at the output of the adder (13) the threshold level of the threshold element (15), a light source connected to the output of the differentiator (16) to convert the electric driving pulses into the light pulses, and a photothyristor ( 11) controlled by light pulses and inserted into the primary winding of the heater transformer (5) supplied from one of the secondary windings of the high-voltage transformer (2).
Abstract:
This specification discloses an electron beam generating source having a control electrode comprising electrically conductive and nonconductive or slightly conductive layers, said nonconductive or slightly conductive layer facing an anode. The surface of said conductive layer in contact with said nonconductive or slightly conductive layer faces a cathode, thereby preventing electron emission from said contact surface and so by eliminating or almost entirely eliminating micro discharge.
Abstract:
The discharge which occurs in an accelerating tube of an electron microscope is detected by a detector and a comparing circuit determines whether or not the value of the detected discharge is larger or smaller than a predetermined value at which a spark occurs to produce a high level signal or a low level signal, respectively. The d. c. high voltage applied to respective accelerating electrodes in the accelerating tube is decreased or increased in response to said high level signal or said low level signal so as to suppress any undesired large discharge in the tube, and thereby prevent sparking therein.