Patent · US Expired

Sample processing apparatus and method for removing charge on sample through light irradiation

US6507029B1 · kind B1 · utility

7Cited by
4References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 23, 1999
Grant dateJan 14, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 23, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/28
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

In an electron particle machine for observing, inspecting, processing or analyzing a semiconductor wafer as a substrate or a sample, a light source is installed in a preparation chamber. A chucking stage for chucking the semiconductor wafer with a chuck using static electricity is provided with parts for connecting to earth such that they are in contact with the chucked semiconductor wafer. After the chuck using static electricity is released after observation, inspection, process or analysis, a surface of the semiconductor wafer and the parts for connecting to earth are irradiated with light from the light source. This provides conductivity to the surface of the semiconductor wafer, so that charge accumulated on the semiconductor wafer is removed from the surface through the parts for connecting to earth.

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