Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for analyzing a defect of a photolithographic mask for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelength range (EUV mask) comprising the steps of: (a) generating at least one focus stack relating to the defect using an EUV mask inspection tool, (b) determining a surface configuration of the EUV mask at a position of the defect, (c) providing model structures having the determined surface configuration which have different phase errors and generating the respective focus stacks, and (d) determining a three dimensional error structure of the EUV mask defect by comparing the at least one generated focus stack of the defect and the generated focus stacks of the model structures.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a membrane comprising at least one molecular monolayer composed of low-molecular aromatics and cross-linked in the lateral direction, wherein the membrane has a thickness in the range from 1 to 200 nm and a perforation in the form of openings having a diameter in the range from 0.1 nm to 1 μm, to a method for the production thereof, and to a use thereof.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for investigating and/or modifying a sample is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a charged particle source, at least one particle optical element forming a charged particle beam of charged particles emitted by said charged particle source. The apparatus further comprises an objective lens which generates a charged particle probe from said charged particle beam. The objective lens defines a particle optical axis. A first electrostatic deflection element is arranged—in a direction of propagation of charged particles emitted by said charged particle source—downstream of the objective lens. The electrostatic deflection element deflecting the charged particle beam in a direction perpendicular to said charged particle optical axis and has a deflection bandwidth of at least 10 MHz.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for electron beam induced etching of a material (100, 200) with the method steps providing at least one etching gas at a position of the material (100, 200) at which an electron beam impacts on the material (100, 200) and simultaneously providing at least one passivation gas which is adapted for slowing down or inhibiting a spontaneous etching by the at least one etching gas
Abstract:
A method for etching a chromium layer in a vacuum chamber which may comprise introducing a halogen compound into the vacuum chamber, directing an electron beam onto the area of the chromium layer to be etched and/or introducing an oxygen including compound into the vacuum chamber. A further method for the highly resolved removal of a layer out of metal and/or metal oxide which may be arranged on an isolator or a substrate having poor thermal conductivity, may comprise arranging the layer inside a vacuum chamber, bombarding the layer with a focused electron beam with an energy of 3-30 keV, wherein the electron beam may be guided such that the energy transfer per time and area causes a localized heating of the layer above its melting and/or vaporization point and wherein the removal of the layer may be performed without the supply of reaction gases into the vacuum chamber.
Abstract:
The invention refers to a procedure for etching of materials at the surface by focussed electron beam induced chemical reactions at said surface. The invention is characterized in that in a vacuum atmosphere the material which is to be etched is irradiated with at least one beam of molecules, at least one beam of photons and at least one beam of electrons, whereby the irradiated material and the molecules of the beam of molecules are excited in a way that a chemical reaction predetermined by said material and said molecules composition takes place and forms a reaction product and said reaction product is removed from the material surface—irradiation and removal step.
Abstract:
An apparatus for investigating and/or modifying a sample with charged particles, in particular a scanning electron microscope, is provided. The apparatus comprises a beam (1, 2) of charged particles, a shielding element (10) having an opening (30) for the beam of charged particles to pass through, wherein the opening (30) is sufficiently small and the shielding element (10) sufficiently closely positioned to the surface (20) of the sample to reduce the influence of charge accumulation effects at the surface on the beam of charged particles.
Abstract:
A method for etching a chromium layer in a vacuum chamber which may comprise introducing a halogen compound into the vacuum chamber, directing an electron beam onto the area of the chromium layer to be etched and/or introducing an oxygen including compound into the vacuum chamber. A further method for the highly resolved removal of a layer out of metal and/or metal oxide which may be arranged on an isolator or a substrate having poor thermal conductivity, may comprise arranging the layer inside a vacuum chamber, bombarding the layer with a focused electron beam with an energy of 3-30 keV, wherein the electron beam may be guided such that the energy transfer per time and area causes a localized heating of the layer above its melting and/or vaporization point and wherein the removal of the layer may be performed without the supply of reaction gases into the vacuum chamber.
Abstract:
A method of forming a fiber probe having an aperture for use in near-field scanning optical microscopy. The method includes a first steps of coating an optical fiber having a tapered tip with a metal layer. Next is a step of milling the tapered tip and metal layer such that an aperture is formed through the metal layer at the tapered tip. The milling step includes focused ion-beam milling the tapered tip and metal layer. The focused ion-beam milling can be done by raster scanning the focused ion-beam in a rectangular pattern at an apex of the tapered tip. Also, the fiber probe made through the above outlined method is used in near-field scanning optical microscopy.