Abstract:
Electron emitters and methods of fabricating the electron emitters are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, an electron emitter includes a tip with a planar region having a diameter in a range of approximately (0.05-10) micrometers. The electron emitter tip is configured to release field emission electrons. The electron emitter further includes a work-function-lowering material coated on the tip.
Abstract:
A method is provided for forming a three-dimensional article through successively depositing individual layers of powder material that are fused together so as to form the article, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one electron beam source emitting an electron beam for at least one of heating or fusing the powder material, where the electron beam source comprises a cathode, an anode, and a Wehnelt cup between the cathode and anode; providing a guard ring between the Wehnelt cup and the anode and in close proximity to the Wehnelt cup, where the guard ring is having an aperture which is larger than an aperture of the Wehnelt cup; protecting the cathode and/or the Wehnelt cup against vacuum arc discharge energy currents when forming the three-dimensional article by providing the guard ring with a higher negative potential than the Wehnelt cup and cathode.
Abstract:
An electron beam exposure apparatus characterized by comprising electron guns for producing electron beam, voltage control means electrically connected to the electron guns and adapted to apply different voltages to the electron guns, and a multiaxis electron lens for independently focusing the electron beams. The voltage control means preferably applies different voltages to the electron guns according to the strength of magnetic field which is produced by the multiaxis electron lens and acts on the electron beams. The voltage control means may apply different voltages to the electron guns so that the focal points of the electron beams projected onto a wafer may be the same.
Abstract:
An electron beam exposure apparatus characterized by comprising a multiaxis electron lens which has a lens portion magnetic conductive part provided with apertures and arranged generally parallel and a nonmagnetic conductive part disposed between the lens portion magnetic conductive parts and provided with through holes and in which the apertures and through holes form lens apertures through which beams pass.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an electron gun cathode mount adapted at one end to secure a thermionic cathode and at the other end to be connected to an attachment member, wherein the electron gun cathode mount is structured so as to be capable of, when in use, reducing heat transfer from the thermionic cathode to the attachment member, and the material forming the electron gun cathode mount has a thermal conductivity of less than 10 Wm-1K-1 at the operating temperature of the thermionic cathode in a direction from the thermionic cathode to the attachment member. The present invention also relates to an electron gun assembly having the electron gun cathode mount installed therein.