Scanning electron beam microscope
US6570154B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 27, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J37/28
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating an image of a specimen with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is disclosed. The SEM (200) has a source unit (202 through 220) for directing an electron beam (203) substantially towards a portion of the specimen (222), a detector (224) for detecting particles (205) that are emitted from the specimen (222), and an image generator (234 through 242) for generating the image of the specimen (222) from the emitted particles (205). The image features are controlled by conditions under which the image is generated. The specimen is scanned under a first set of conditions (252) to generate a first image during a first image phase (302, 402). The specimen is then scanned under a second set conditions (254) during a setup phase (304, 404). The second set of conditions is selected to control charge on the specimen. The specimen is then scanned under the first set of conditions (252) to generate a second image during a second image phase (306, 406). The features of the second image are controlled by the first and second sets of conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.