Patent · US Active

Array-based characterization tool

US10438769B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by
2References
47Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 2, 2018
Grant dateOct 8, 2019
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 2, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/2449
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) system includes a plurality of electron beam sources configured to generate a primary electron beam. The SEM system includes an electron-optical column array with a plurality of electron-optical columns. An electron-optical column includes a plurality of electron-optical elements. The plurality of electron-optical elements includes a deflector layer configured to be driven via a common controller shared by at least some of the plurality of electron-optical columns and includes a trim deflector layer configured to be driven by an individual controller. The plurality of electron-optical elements is arranged to form an electron beam channel configured to direct the primary electron beam to a sample secured on a stage, which emits an electron beam in response to the primary electron beam. The electron-optical column includes an electron detector. The electron beam channel is configured to direct the electron beam to the electron detector.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.