Computer-implemented methods for controlling a charged particle microscopy system include estimating a drift of a stage of the charged particle microscopy system based on an image sequence, and automatically adjusting a stage settling wait duration based on the drift estimate. Charged particle microscopy systems include an imaging system, a movement stage, and a processor and memory configured with computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to estimate a stage settling duration of the movement stage based on an image sequence obtained with the imaging system, and automatically adjust a stage settling wait duration for the movement stage based on the stage settling duration.

Provided is a charged particle beam device capable of reducing scattering of a foreign substance collected by a foreign substance collecting unit. The charged particle beam device includes: a sample chamber in which a sample is to be disposed; and a charged particle beam source configured to irradiate the sample with a charged particle beam. The charged particle beam device further includes: a foreign substance attachment/detachment unit from or to which a foreign substance is to detach or attach; and a foreign substance collecting unit provided in the sample chamber and configured to collect a foreign substance dropped from the foreign substance attachment/detachment unit. An opening through which the foreign substance passes is provided in an upper end portion of the foreign substance collecting unit. An area of the opening is smaller than a horizontal cross-sectional area of an internal space of the foreign substance collecting unit.

The disclosure relates to a method for examining a sample in a scanning transmission charged particle microscope. The method comprises the steps of providing a scanning transmission charged particle microscope, having an illuminator and a scanning unit. The method comprises the steps of providing a desired dose for at least a first sample location of the plurality of sample locations; and determining, using a controller of the microscope, a first set of parameter settings for the illuminator and the scanning unit for substantially achieving the desired dose at the first sample location.

The disclosure relates to a method for examining a sample in a scanning transmission charged particle microscope. The method comprises the steps of providing a scanning transmission charged particle microscope, having an illuminator and a scanning unit. The method comprises the steps of providing a desired dose for at least a first sample location of the plurality of sample locations; and determining, using a controller of the microscope, a first set of parameter settings for the illuminator and the scanning unit for substantially achieving the desired dose at the first sample location.

The invention relates to a sample holder for a microscopy system comprising a material with a low thermal conductivity for reducing a drift of the sample holder when inserted into a microscope. The invention also relates to a cold trap for a microscopy system comprising a sample holder, wherein the cold trap comprises a coating with a high thermal emissivity to increase a heat load between the sample holder and the cold trap. The invention also relates to a microscopy system comprising a first element configured to have a first temperature, a second element configured to have a second temperature, and a third element configured to have a third temperature, wherein the third element is configured to be located at a plurality of different distances from the first element, wherein the microscopy system is configured to image a sample and to reduce a drift of the image.

The invention relates to a sample holder for a microscopy system comprising a material with a low thermal conductivity for reducing a drift of the sample holder when inserted into a microscope. The invention also relates to a cold trap for a microscopy system comprising a sample holder, wherein the cold trap comprises a coating with a high thermal emissivity to increase a heat load between the sample holder and the cold trap. The invention also relates to a microscopy system comprising a first element configured to have a first temperature, a second element configured to have a second temperature, and a third element configured to have a third temperature, wherein the third element is configured to be located at a plurality of different distances from the first element, wherein the microscopy system is configured to image a sample and to reduce a drift of the image.

A detector for use in a charged particle device for an assessment tool to detect signal particles from a sample, the detector including a substrate, the substrate including: a semiconductor element configured to detect signal particles above a first energy threshold; and a charge-based element configured to detect signal particles below a second energy threshold.

A detector for use in a charged particle device for an assessment tool to detect signal particles from a sample, the detector including a substrate, the substrate including: a semiconductor element configured to detect signal particles above a first energy threshold; and a charge-based element configured to detect signal particles below a second energy threshold.

A scanning electron microscope device for a sample to be detected and an electron beam inspection apparatus are provided, the scanning electron microscope device being configured to project electron beam to a surface of the sample to generate backscattered electrons and secondary electrons, and comprising: an electron beam source, a deflection mechanism, and an objective lens assembly. The deflection mechanism comprises a first deflector located downstream the electron beam source and a second deflector located downstream the first deflector. The objective lens assembly comprises: an excitation coil; and a magnetic yoke, formed by a magnetizer material as a housing which opens towards the sample and comprising a hollow body defining an internal chamber where the excitation coil is accommodated, and at least one inclined portion extending inward from the hollow body at an angle with reference to the hollow body and directing towards the optical axis, with an end of the at least one inclined portion being formed into a pole piece. The deflection mechanism further comprises a third deflector located between the second deflector and the objective lens assembly and disposed in an opening delimited and circumscribed by the pole piece, and each of the first deflector, the second deflector and the third deflector is an electrostatic deflector.

A scanning electron microscope device for a sample to be detected and an electron beam inspection apparatus are provided, the scanning electron microscope device being configured to project electron beam to a surface of the sample to generate backscattered electrons and secondary electrons, and comprising: an electron beam source, a deflection mechanism, and an objective lens assembly. The deflection mechanism comprises a first deflector located downstream the electron beam source and a second deflector located downstream the first deflector. The objective lens assembly comprises: an excitation coil; and a magnetic yoke, formed by a magnetizer material as a housing which opens towards the sample and comprising a hollow body defining an internal chamber where the excitation coil is accommodated, and at least one inclined portion extending inward from the hollow body at an angle with reference to the hollow body and directing towards the optical axis, with an end of the at least one inclined portion being formed into a pole piece. The deflection mechanism further comprises a third deflector located between the second deflector and the objective lens assembly and disposed in an opening delimited and circumscribed by the pole piece, and each of the first deflector, the second deflector and the third deflector is an electrostatic deflector.