Patent · US Active

Tilt-imaging scanning electron microscope

US8921782B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
13References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 18, 2013
Grant dateDec 30, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 18, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2237/1534
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a tilt-imaging scanning electron microscope apparatus. The apparatus includes an electron gun, first and second deflectors, an objective electron lens, and a secondary electron detector. The first deflector deflects the electron beam away from the optical axis, and the second deflector deflects the electron beam back towards the optical axis. The objective lens focuses the electron beam onto a spot on a surface of a target substrate, wherein the electron beam lands on the surface at a tilt angle. Another embodiment relates to a method of imaging a surface of a target substrate using an electron beam with a trajectory tilted relative to a substrate surface. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.

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