A system and method for imaging a sample having a complex structure (such as an integrated circuit) implements two modes of operation utilizing a common electron beam generator that produces an electron beam within a chamber. In the first mode, the electron beam interacts directly with the sample, and backscattered electrons, secondary electrons, and backward propagating fluorescent X-rays are measured. In the second mode, the electron beam interrogates the sample via X-rays generated by the electron beam within a target that is positioned between the electron beam generator and the sample. Transmitted X-rays are measured by a detector within the vacuum chamber. The sample is placed on a movable platform to precisely position the sample with respect to the electron beam. Interferometric and/or capacitive sensors are used to measure the position of the sample and movable platform to provide high accuracy metadata for performing high resolution three-dimensional sample reconstruction.

An EDS 5 acquires first spectrum data by detecting an X-ray generated from a sample. A WDS 6 acquires second spectrum data by detecting the X-ray generated from the sample. A phase distribution map generation processing unit 11 generates a phase distribution map of a substance of the sample in a measurement region, on the basis of the first spectrum data acquired with respect to each pixel in the measurement region on a sample surface. A composition information acquisition processing unit 13 acquires element composition information of each phase, on the basis of the second spectrum data acquired with respect to a position on the sample corresponding to a representative pixel in the measurement region corresponding to each of the phases of the phase distribution map.

An EDS 5 acquires first spectrum data by detecting an X-ray generated from a sample. A WDS 6 acquires second spectrum data by detecting the X-ray generated from the sample. A phase distribution map generation processing unit 11 generates a phase distribution map of a substance of the sample in a measurement region, on the basis of the first spectrum data acquired with respect to each pixel in the measurement region on a sample surface. A composition information acquisition processing unit 13 acquires element composition information of each phase, on the basis of the second spectrum data acquired with respect to a position on the sample corresponding to a representative pixel in the measurement region corresponding to each of the phases of the phase distribution map.

System and methods are described for directly measuring mechanical properties of a sample while concurrently imaging the sample using a scanning beam microscope (e.g., a scanning electron microscope (SEM)).

System and methods are described for directly measuring mechanical properties of a sample while concurrently imaging the sample using a scanning beam microscope (e.g., a scanning electron microscope (SEM)).

The objective of the present invention is to simultaneously achieve image observations at a high resolution using an electron microscope, and X-ray analysis at a high energy-resolution using a microcalorimeter. An X-ray detector is disposed at a position where the intensity of the magnetic field from an objective lens is weaker than the critical magnetic field of a material used in a thermal insulation shield for a superconducting transition-edge sensor or a microcalorimeter. In addition, an optical system for transmitting X-rays to the detector is inserted between a sample and the detector. Alternatively, a magnetic field shield for shielding the X-ray detector is used.

An EDS 5 acquires first spectrum data by detecting an X-ray generated from a sample. A WDS 6 acquires second spectrum data by detecting the X-ray generated from the sample. A phase distribution map generation processing unit 11 generates a phase distribution map of a substance of the sample in a measurement region, on the basis of the first spectrum data acquired with respect to each pixel in the measurement region on a sample surface. A composition information acquisition processing unit 13 acquires element composition information of each phase, on the basis of the second spectrum data acquired with respect to a position on the sample corresponding to a representative pixel in the measurement region corresponding to each of the phases of the phase distribution map.

An EDS 5 acquires first spectrum data by detecting an X-ray generated from a sample. A WDS 6 acquires second spectrum data by detecting the X-ray generated from the sample. A phase distribution map generation processing unit 11 generates a phase distribution map of a substance of the sample in a measurement region, on the basis of the first spectrum data acquired with respect to each pixel in the measurement region on a sample surface. A composition information acquisition processing unit 13 acquires element composition information of each phase, on the basis of the second spectrum data acquired with respect to a position on the sample corresponding to a representative pixel in the measurement region corresponding to each of the phases of the phase distribution map.

Surface modification of a cryogenic specimen can be obtained using a charged particle microscope. A specimen is situated in a vacuum chamber on a specimen holder and maintained at a cryogenic temperature. The vacuum chamber is evacuated and a charged-particle beam is directed to a portion of the specimen so as to modify a surface thereof. A thin film monitor is situated in the vacuum chamber and has at least a detection surface maintained at a cryogenic temperature. A precipitation rate of frozen condensate in the vacuum chamber is measured using the thin film monitor, and based on the measured precipitation rate, the surface modification is initiated when the precipitation rate is less than a first pre-defined threshold, or interrupted if the precipitation rate rises above a second pre-defined threshold.

A method of automated control of a microscope in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), wherein the microscope is configured to collect high-magnification micrographs of particles suspended in vitreous ice. Such particles are found in grid squares, and a square contains holes from which high-magnification micrographs are imaged. The method is carried out during an active data collection session, leveraging a pipeline that comprises a set of models. The pipeline evaluates a set of collection locations to determine whether to continue collection at a current grid/square or instead at a new grid/square. The evaluation is based on a set of one or more quality scores derived from one or more pretrained models and machine learning-based active learning. Based on the determination, control information is provided to automatically control the microscope to move to a next target for data collection.