Abstract:
A particle-optical arrangement comprises a charged-particle source for generating a beam of charged particles; a multi-aperture plate arranged in a beam path of the beam of charged particles, wherein the multi-aperture plate has a plurality of apertures formed therein in a predetermined first array pattern, wherein a plurality of charged-particle beamlets is formed from the beam of charged particles downstream of the multi-aperture plate, and wherein a plurality of beam spots is formed in an image plane of the apparatus by the plurality of beamlets, the plurality of beam spots being arranged in a second array pattern; and a particle-optical element for manipulating the beam of charged particles and/or the plurality of beamlets; wherein the first array pattern has a first pattern regularity in a first direction, and the second array pattern has a second pattern regularity in a second direction electron-optically corresponding to the first direction, and wherein the second regularity is higher than the first regularity.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a particle-optical component comprising a first multi -aperture plate, and a second multi -aperture plate forming a gap between them; wherein a plurality of apertures of the first multi -aperture plate is arranged such that each aperture of the plurality of apertures of the first multi-aperture plate is aligned with a corresponding aperture of a plurality of apertures of the second multi-aperture plate; and wherein the gap has a first width at a first location and a second width at a second location and wherein the second width is by at least 5% greater than the first width. In addition, the present invention pertains to charged particle systems and arrangements comprising such components and methods of manufacturing multi aperture plates having a curved surface.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a charged-particle multi-beamlet system that comprises a source of charged particles (301); a first multi-aperture plate (320) having plural apertures disposed in a charged particle beam path of the system downstream of the source; a first multi-aperture selector plate (313) having plural apertures; a carrier (340), wherein the first multi-aperture selector plate is mounted on the carrier; and an actuator (350) configured to move the carrier such that the first multi-aperture selector plate is disposed in the charged particle beam path of the system downstream of the source in a first mode of operation of the system, and such that the first multi-aperture selector plate is disposed outside of the charged particle beam path in a second mode of operation of the system. The source, the first multi-aperture plate and the carrier of the system are arranged such that a first number of charged particle beamlets is generated at a position downstream of both the first multi-aperture plate and the first multi-aperture selector plate in the first mode of operation, and that a second number of charged particle beamlets is generated at the position in the second mode of operation, wherein the first number of beamlets differs from the second number of beamlets.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a charged particle system comprising: a charged particle source; a first multi aperture plate; a second multi aperture plate disposed downstream of the first multi aperture plate, a controller configured to selectively apply at least first and second voltage differences between the first and second multi aperture plates, wherein the charged particle source and the first and second multi aperture plates are arranged such that each of a plurality of charged particle beamlets traverses an aperture pair, said aperture pair comprising one aperture of the first multi aperture plate and one aperture of the second multi aperture plate, wherein plural aperture pairs are arranged such that a center of the aperture of the first multi aperture plate is, when seen in a direction of incidence of the charged particle beamlet traversing the aperture of the first multi aperture plate, displaced relative to a center of the aperture of the second multi aperture plate. The invention further pertains to a a particle-optical component configured to change a divergence of a set of charged particle beamlets and a charged particle inspection method comprising inspection of an object using different numbers of charged particle beamlets.
Abstract:
A particle-optical arrangement comprises a charged-particle source for generating a beam of charged particles; a multi-aperture plate arranged in a beam path of the beam of charged particles, wherein the multi-aperture plate has a plurality of apertures formed therein in a predetermined first array pattern, wherein a plurality of charged-particle beamlets is formed from the beam of charged particles downstream of the multi-aperture plate, and wherein a plurality of beam spots is formed in an image plane of the apparatus by the plurality of beamlets, the plurality of beam spots being arranged in a second array pattern; and a particle-optical element for manipulating the beam of charged particles and/or the plurality of beamlets; wherein the first array pattern has a first pattern regularity in a first direction, and the second array pattern has a second pattern regularity in a second direction electron-optically corresponding to the first direction, and wherein the second regularity is higher than the first regularity.
Abstract:
A test object for testing a multiple beam system is provided. The test object includes multiple regions, each made up of multiple fields, each of which includes multiple sub-fields, each of which includes multiple structural elements. The location and number of sub-fields of at least one field corresponds to the number of beams of an array of beams of the multiple beam system and to an expected spatial relationship between the beams of the array of beams. Various scanning patterns can be applied in order to allow the array of beams to scan the entire field. Images of the subfields obtained using the multiple beam system are used to evaluate spatial or optical characteristics thereof.
Abstract:
A charged particle beam focusing apparatus (200) includes a charged particle beam generator (202) configured to project simultaneously at least one non-astigmatic charged particle beam and at least one astigmatic charged particle beam onto locations (217) on a surface of a specimen (39), thereby causing released electrons to be emitted from the locations. The apparatus also includes an imaging detector (31) configured to receive the released electrons from the locations and to form images of the locations from the released electrons. A processor (32) analyzes the image produced by the at least one astigmatic charged particle beam and in response thereto adjusts a focus of the at least one non-astigmatic charged particle beam.
Abstract:
A charged particle beam focusing apparatus includes a charged particle beam generator configured to project simultaneously at least one non- astigmatic charged particle beam and at least one astigmatic charged particle beam onto locations on a surface of a specimen, thereby causing released electrons to be emitted from the locations. The apparatus also includes an imaging detector configured to receive the released electrons from the locations and to form images of the locations from the released electrons. A processor analyzes the image produced by the at least one astigmatic charged particle beam and in response thereto adjusts a focus of the at least one non-astigmatic charged particle beam.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a particle-optical component comprising a first multi -aperture plate (613), and a second multi- aperture plate (614) forming a gap between them; wherein a plurality of apertures (615) of the first multi -aperture plate is arranged such that each aperture of the plurality of apertures of the first multi-aperture plate is aligned with a corresponding aperture of a plurality of apertures of the second multi-aperture plate; and wherein the gap has a first width (wl) at a first location and a second width (w2) at a second location and wherein the first width is by at least 5% greater than the second width. In addition, the present invention pertains to charged particle systems and arrangements comprising such components and methods of manufacturing multi aperture plates having a curved surface .