Patent · US Active

Three-dimensional imaging using electron beam activated chemical etch

US7709792B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
11References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 2007
Grant dateMay 4, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/3174
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for imaging a structure and a related processor-readable medium are disclosed. A surface of a substrate (or a portion thereof) is exposed to a gas composition. The gas composition includes one or more components that etch the substrate upon activation by interaction with a beam of electrons. A beam of electrons is directed to one or more portions of the surface of the substrate that are exposed to the gas composition to etch the one or more portions. A plurality of images is obtained of the one or more portions at different instances of time as the one or more portions are etched. A three-dimensional model of one or more structures embedded within the one or more portions of the substrate is generated from the plurality of images.

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